Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger defends health at age 39

Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004 and is entering yet another season as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback. Though he’s earned the nickname “Big Ben,” the 7-time Pro Bowler says he’s taking care of his body more than he ever has in his career.

While there are always critics, the real conversations surrounding age, weight and mobility didn’t begin until Pittsburgh began to sputter after cruising to a 11-0 start to last season.

“So much was made a week or two [ago],” Roethlisberger said. “I mean, listen, as you get older — for the last four or five years, I’ve really focused on having a trainer, my body. Part of it’s football. But part of it’s life. I’m not getting any younger. I’m almost 40 years old. So you’ve got to take care of yourself. And nothing against Tom [Brady], but I’m not eating avocado ice cream. Yeah, you have a chef and you try and eat healthy. But you’re eating healthy because you want to be and feel good.”

Ben Roethlisberger has strict health regiment

According to Ryan Burr of NBC, the Steelers quarterback has taken his health more serious than ever heading into 2021.

Ben camp says biggest concern is weight loss. He has been so driven since season ended. Source says his diet is stricter than Brady. https://t.co/wgmpM7Y9Wu

— Ryan Burr (@RyanBurr) July 12, 2021

While there are always critics, the real conversations surrounding age, weight and mobility didn’t begin until Pittsburgh began to sputter after cruising to a (11-0) start to the year.

Statistically, Roethlisberger’s numbers were solid a season ago.

In 15 starts in 2020, the two-time Super Bowl champion threw for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 12-3 record. The Steelers put up 38 points twice. Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense scored at least 23 points in every game of the season except one. The stingy Ravens’ defense held the rival Steelers to just 19 points in Week 12, but Pittsburgh still won.

Of course, losing five of the final six games didn’t help the narrative surrounding Pittsburgh.

Two of those losses came against division foe Cleveland, but Roethlisberger still put up record-breaking numbers in the 48-37 Wild Card Playoff loss to the Browns.

Roethlisberger’s 47 completions in his final game of the 2020 campaign set a new postseason record. His 501 passing yards were the second-highest mark in NFL playoff history, behind only Tom Brady.

Roethlisberger feels like he ‘still has it’

Still, the media continues to question Roethlisberger’s health and weight as each new season begins. It comes with the territory of being a 39-year-old starter in the NFL, a rare feat in itself.

“Usually age doesn’t come up too much with us talking,” Roethlisberger said of those conversations, “but just in the understanding of: ‘When do you know? When do you feel like it’s become a job? Or when does it feel like it’s not fun anymore?’ … At some point, you have to have those discussions, which goes back to the point … [of] why to come back. And it just felt like I still love the game and still have it.”