Steelers teammates grew up fans of Ben Roethlisberger, appreciate his competitiveness

Cameron Heyward spent much of his high school and college years rooting for Ben Roethlisberger.

In the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, though, early during Heyward’s career he spent plenty of time playing against Roethlisberger.

Like 176 NFL opponents have found out over the 18 years of Roethlisberger’s apparently soon-to-end career, Heyward more often than not lost to him.

“We used to have the shuffleboard in (the locker room), and we used to have tournaments,” Heyward said before practice Friday.

“Ben was always very competitive in that — and somehow he always won. He’s a three-sport All-American in high school — I think so, he claims to be.

“When it comes to being competitive, Ben is one of the tops.”

Cam Heyward on appreciating being Ben Roethlisberger’s teammate pic.twitter.com/HMSLAYJmK2

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 31, 2021

A day after Roethlisberger acknowledged his likely retirement at the end of this season, his longest active tenured teammate reminisced about not only the 11 seasons he has spent with Roethlisberger but about the several years before that in which Heyward watched from afar as a fan of the Steelers.

Heyward had ties to Pittsburgh dating to when his father, Craig, was a star running back for Pitt.

“I remember when I used to watch Ben,” said Heyward, a defensive lineman who joined the Steelers in 2011. “Shoot, I remember that Super Bowl game against Arizona (at the end of the 2008 season). He’s made some moments. I’ve been appreciative of just being his teammate.”

Unless the Steelers (7-7-1) make the playoffs, Heyward’s time as Roethlisberger’s teammate will end after Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field and at the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 9. Roethlisberger’s likely retirement is a topic of conversation this week because it figures to be his final home game.

“Two games left, that’s all we’re guaranteed,” Heyward said. “Hopefully, we can make this tour last a little bit longer, but I think as a teammate, you appreciate what he’s done. You just want to send him off with everything we can.”

In listing his favorite Roethlisberger memories during Heyward’s time with the Steelers, Heyward noted the winning touchdown pass to clinch the AFC North on Christmas Day 2016 as well as a “fake spike” touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys earlier that season.

Matt Canada doesn’t have nearly the history with Roethlisberger (he joined the Steelers coaching staff in 2020 as quarterbacks coach and was promoted to offensive coordinator this season). Canada, though, marvels at Roethlisberger’s accuracy.

“How many Hall of Fame quarterbacks are there?” Canada asked, rhetorically. “I can only speak to the one I’ve gotten to be around. His ability to (fit the ball into small windows to receivers) is so impressive.

“Eighteen years watching, and the multitude of plays and games he’s won by 6 inches will make a star. It’s really impressive.”

Steelers WR Ray-Ray McCloud on Ben’s likely final home game:

“More than a teammate, more than a brother in the locker room, he’s a guy Ive been a fan of.” pic.twitter.com/jis6Kjw8fI

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 30, 2021

Like Canada, Ray-Ray McCloud has only been part of the Steelers for a fraction of Roethlisberger’s career. After previously struggling to make his mark in the NFL as a wide receiver, McCloud has had a career year offensively in becoming one of Roethlisberger’s favorite targets this season.

“More than a teammate, more than a brother in the locker room, I’m a fan,” McCloud said of Roethlisberger. “I’ve been watching him since (before) I can remember, and so to be playing with him is a big deal in itself. It’s an honor, and to play in his last home game as a Steeler, it’s a blessing.”

Running back Najee Harris said he has been appreciative Roethlisberger’s advice during his rookie season. Harris respects having a role in what likely is Roethlisberger’s final home game.

“This being my rookie year and this being his last year, it means a lot just because of what he means to the city and to the game of football,” Harris said. “He has done a lot for the whole NFL. He’s done a lot for the game, so I am glad to be a part of it.”

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