Ben Roethlisberger 'humbled and honored' to pass Mike Webster in career games with Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger passed Mike Webster on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-time games played list Sunday, but in his mind there is only one ironman in the organization.

“He was Iron Mike for a reason,” Roethlisberger said after setting the franchise record by playing in his 221^st career game, a 28-21 victory against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field. “They are never going to call me Iron Ben because there’s only one Iron Mike. I’m just humbled and honored to be in the same category as him.”

Webster played in 220 games with the Steelers from 1974-88 before finishing his Hall of Fame career in Kansas City for two seasons. He went 10 consecutive seasons without missing a start while Roethlisberger returned his year from right elbow surgery that limited him to two games in 2019.

“It’s not like I passed him,” Roethlisberger said. “I just feel like I joined him today because it’s so awesome.”

The 38-year-old Roethlisberger has remained healthy enough to make it to 17 NFL seasons, and he credited his supporting cast since he entered the NFL in 2004 for making that possible.

“It’s all the guys that I played with,” he said, “especially the linemen, because they’re the ones blocking for me. And I’ve played with so many really good linemen and tight ends and backs and guys that just really kept me upright and have allowed me to play this long. I’m thankful to all of them and this record really is a joint thing for all of them and me.”

In the win, Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass to a 51^st different player, tight end Eric Ebron. He also recorded his 119^th multi-touchdown passing game. Roethlisberger has a 147-41-1 record as a starter, which is tied for the third-best regular-season mark among active quarterbacks. He also has an 81-27 record at Heinz Field.