Mental chronometry is the use of response time in perceptual-motor tasks to infer the content, duration, and temporal sequencing of cognitive operations. Mental chronometry is one of the core paradigms of experimental and cognitive psychology, and has found application in various disciplines including cognitive psychophysiology/cognitive neuroscience and behavioral neuroscience to elucidate mechanisms underlying cognitive processing.

Mental chronometry is studied using the measurements of reaction time (RT). Reaction time is the elapsed time between the presentation of a sensory stimulus and the subsequent behavioral response. In psychometric psychology it is considered to be an index of speed of processing.^[1] That is, it indicates how fast the thinker can execute the mental operations needed by the task at hand. In turn, speed of processing is considered an index of processing efficiency. The behavioral response is typically a button press but can also be an eye movement, a vocal response, or some other observable behavior.

Types[link]

Response time is the sum of reaction time plus movement time.

Usually the focus in research is on reaction time. There are four basic means of measuring it:

Simple reaction time is the motion required for an observer to respond to the presence of a stimulus. For example, a subject might be asked to press a button as soon as a light or sound appears. Mean RT for college-age individuals is about 160 milliseconds to detect an auditory stimulus, and approximately 190 milliseconds to detect visual stimulus.^[2] The mean reaction times for sprinters at the Beijing Olympics were 166 ms for males and 189 ms for females, but in one out of 1,000 starts they can achieve 109 ms and 121 ms, respectively ^[3] Interestingly, that study concluded that longer female reaction times are an artifact of the measurement method used; a suitable lowering of the force threshold on the starting blocks for women would eliminate the sex difference.

Recognition or Go/No-Go reaction time tasks require that the subject press a button when one stimulus type appears and withhold a response when another stimulus type appears. For example, the subject may have to press the button when a green light appears and not respond when a blue light appears.

Choice reaction time (CRT) tasks require distinct responses for each possible class of stimulus. For example, the subject might be asked to press one button if a red light appears and a different button if a yellow light appears. The Jensen box is an example of an instrument designed to measure choice reaction time.

Discrimination reaction time involves comparing pairs of simultaneously presented visual displays and then pressing one of two buttons according to which display appears brighter, longer, heavier, or greater in magnitude on some dimension of interest.

Due to momentary attentional lapses, there is a considerable amount of variability in an individual's response time, which does not tend to follow a normal (Gaussian) distribution. To control for this, researchers typically require a subject to perform multiple trials, from which a measure of the 'typical' response time can be calculated. Taking the mean of the raw response time is rarely an effective method of characterizing the typical response time, and alternative approaches (such as modeling the entire response time distribution) are often more appropriate.^[4]

The evolution of mental chronometry methodology[link]

Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[link]

Psychologists have developed and refined mental chronometry for over the past 100 years. According to Muhammad Iqbal, the Persian scientist Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī (973-1048) was the first person to describe the concept of reaction time:

"Not only is every sensation attended this by a corresponding change localized in the sense-organ, which demands a certain time, but also, between the stimulation of the organ and consciousness of the perception an interval of time must elapse, corresponding to the transmission of stimulus for some distance along the nerves."^[5]

Galton and differential psychology[link]

Sir Francis Galton is typically credited as the founder of differential psychology, which seeks to determine and explain the mental differences between individuals. He was the first to use rigorous reaction time tests with the express intention of determining averages and ranges of individual differences in mental and behavioral traits in humans. Galton hypothesized that differences in intelligence would be reflected in variation of sensory discrimination and speed of response to stimuli, and he built various machines to test different measures of this, including reaction time to visual and auditory stimuli. His tests involved a selection of over 10,000 men, women and children from the London public.^[1]

Donders' experiment[link]

The first scientist to measure reaction time in the laboratory was Franciscus Donders (1869). Donders found that simple reaction time is shorter than recognition reaction time, and that choice reaction time is longer than both.^[2]

Donders (1868’s): method of subtraction. Picture from the ‘Historical Introduction to Cognitive Psychology’ webpage.

Donders also devised a subtraction method to analyze the time it took for mental operations to take place.^[6] By subtracting simple reaction time from choice reaction time, for example, it is possible to calculate how much time is needed to make the connection.

This method provides a way to investigate the cognitive processes underlying simple perceptual-motor tasks, and formed the basis of subsequent developments.^[6]

Although Donders' work paved the way for future research in mental chronometry tests, it was not without its drawbacks. His insertion method was based on the assumption that inserting a particular complicating requirement into an RT paradigm would not affect the other components of the test. This assumption - that the incremental effect on RT was strictly additive - was not able to hold up to later experimental tests, which showed that the insertions were able to interact with other portions of the RT paradigm. Despite this, Donders' theories are still of interest and his ideas are still used in certain areas of psychology, which now have the statistical tools to use them more accurately.^[1]

Hick's Law[link]

W. E. Hick (1952) devised a CRT experiment which presented a series of nine tests in which there are n equally possible choices. The experiment measured the subject's reaction time based on number of possible choices during any given trial. Hick showed that the individual's reaction time increased by a constant amount as a function of available choices, or the "uncertainty" involved in which reaction stimulus would appear next. Uncertainty is measured in "bits", which are defined as the quantity of information that reduces uncertainty by half in information theory. In Hick's experiment, the reaction time is found to be a function of the binary logarithm of the number of available choices (n). This phenomenon is called "Hick's Law" and is said to be a measure of the "rate of gain of information." The law is usually expressed by the formula Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): RT = a + b\log_2(n + 1) , where Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): a

and Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): b
are constants representing the intercept and slope of the function, and Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): n
is the number of alternatives.[7]  The Jensen Box is a more recent application of Hick's Law.[1] Hick's Law has interesting modern applications in marketing, where restaurant menus and web interfaces (among other things) take advantage of its principles in striving to achieve speed and ease of use for the consumer.[8]

Sternberg’s memory-scanning task[link]

Sternberg (1966) devised an experiment wherein subjects were told to remember a set of unique digits in short-term memory. Subjects were then given a probe stimulus in the form of a digit from 0-9. The subject then answered as quickly as possible whether the probe was in the previous set of digits or not. The size of the initial set of digits determined the reaction time of the subject. The idea is that as the size of the set of digits increases the number of processes that need to be completed before a decision can be made increases as well. So if the subject has 4 items in short-term memory (STM), then after encoding the information from the probe stimulus the subject needs to compare the probe to each of the 4 items in memory and then make a decision. If there were only 2 items in the initial set of digits, then only 2 processes would be needed. The data from this study found that for each additional item added to the set of digits, about 38 milliseconds were added to the response time of the subject. This supported the idea that a subject did a serial exhaustive search through memory rather than a serial self-terminating search.^[9] Sternberg (1969) developed a much-improved method for dividing reaction time into successive or serial stages, called the additive factor method.^[10]

Shepard and Metzler’s mental rotation task[link]

Shepard and Metzler (1971) presented a pair of three-dimensional shapes that were identical or mirror-image versions of one another. Reaction time to determine whether they were identical or not was a linear function of the angular difference between their orientation, whether in the picture plane or in depth. They concluded that the observers performed a constant-rate mental rotation to align the two objects so they could be compared.^[11] Cooper and Shepard (1973) presented a letter or digit that was either normal or mirror-reversed, and presented either upright or at angles of rotation in units of 60 degrees. The subject had to identify whether the stimulus was normal or mirror-reversed. Response time increased roughly linearly as the orientation of the letter deviated from upright (0 degrees) to inverted (180 degrees), and then decreases again until it reaches 360 degrees. The authors concluded that the subjects mentally rotate the image the shortest distance to upright, and then judge whether it is normal or mirror-reversed.^[12]

Sentence-picture verification[link]

Mental chronometry has been used in identifying some of the processes associated with understanding a sentence. This type of research typically revolves around the differences in processing 4 types of sentences: true affirmative (TA), false affirmative (FA), false negative (FN), and true negative (TN). A picture can be presented with an associated sentence that falls into one of these 4 categories. The subject then decides if the sentence matches the picture or does not. The type of sentence determines how many processes need to be performed before a decision can be made. According to the data from Clark and Chase (1972) and Just and Carpenter (1971), the TA sentences are the simplest and take the least time, than FA, FN, and TN sentences.^[13][14]

Mental chronometry and models of memory[link]

Hierarchical network models of memory were largely discarded due to some findings related to mental chronometry. The TLC model proposed by Collins and Quillian (1969) had a hierarchical structure indicating that recall speed in memory should be based on the number of levels in memory traversed in order to find the necessary information. But the experimental results did not agree. For example, a subject will reliably answer that a robin is a bird more quickly than he will answer that an ostrich is a bird despite these questions accessing the same two levels in memory. This led to the development of spreading activation models of memory (e.g., Collins & Loftus, 1975), wherein links in memory are not organized hierarchically but by importance instead.^[15][16]

Posner’s letter matching studies[link]

Posner (1978) used a series of letter-matching studies to measure the mental processing time of several tasks associated with recognition of a pair of letters. The simplest task was the physical match task, in which subjects were shown a pair of letters and had to identify whether the two letters were physically identical or not. The next task was the name match task where subjects had to identify whether two letters had the same name. The task involving the most cognitive processes was the rule match task in which subjects had to determine whether the two letters presented both were vowels or not vowels.

The physical match task was the most simple; subjects had to encode the letters, compare them to each other, and make a decision. When doing the name match task subjects were forced to add a cognitive step before making a decision: they had to search memory for the names of the letters, and then compare those before deciding. In the rule based task they had to also categorize the letters as either vowels or consonants before making their choice. The time taken to perform the rule match task was longer than the name match task which was longer than the physical match task. Using the subtraction method experimenters were able to determine the approximate amount of time that it took for subjects to perform each of the cognitive processes associated with each of these tasks.^[17]

Mental chronometry and cognitive development[link]

There is extensive recent research using mental chronometry for the study of cognitive development. Specifically, various measures of speed of processing were used to examine changes in the speed of information processing as a function of age. Kail (1991) showed that speed of processing increases exponentially from early childhood to early adulthood.^[18] Studies of reaction times in young children of various ages are consistent with common observations of children engaged in activities not typically associated with chronometry.^[1] This includes speed of counting, reaching for things, repeating words, and other developing vocal and motor skills that develop quickly in growing children.^[19] Once reaching early maturity, there is then a long period of stability until speed of processing begins declining from middle age to senility (Salthouse, 2000).^[20] In fact, cognitive slowing is considered a good index of broader changes in the functioning of the brain and intelligence. Demetriou and colleagues, using various methods of measuring speed of processing, showed that it is closely associated with changes in working memory and thought (Demetriou, Mouyi, & Spanoudis, 2009). These relations are extensively discussed in the neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development.^[21]

During senescence, RT deteriorates (as does fluid intelligence), and this deterioration is systematically associated with changes in many other cognitive processes, such as executive functions, working memory, and inferential processes.^[21] In the theory of Andreas Demetriou,^[22] one of the neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development, change in speed of processing with age, as indicated by decreasing reaction time, is one of the pivotal factors of cognitive development.

Mental chronometry and cognitive ability[link]

Researchers have reported medium-sized correlations between reaction time and measures of intelligence: There is thus a tendency for individuals with higher IQ to be faster on reaction time tests.

Research into this link between mental speed and general intelligence (perhaps first proposed by Charles Spearman) was re-popularised by Arthur Jensen, and the "Choice reaction Apparatus" associated with his name became a common standard tool in reaction time-IQ research.

The strength of the RT-IQ association is a subject of research. Several studies have reported association between simple reaction time and intelligence of around (r=−.31), with a tendency for larger associations between choice reaction time and intelligence (r=−.49).^[23] Much of the theoretical interest in reaction time was driven by Hick's Law, relating the slope of reaction time increases to the complexity of decision required (measured in units of uncertainty popularised by Claude Shannon as the basis of information theory). This promised to link intelligence directly to the resolution of information even in very basic information tasks. There is some support for a link between the slope of the reaction time curve and intelligence, as long as reaction time is tightly controlled.^[24]

Standard deviations of reaction times have been found to be more strongly correlated with measures of general intelligence (g) than mean reaction times. The reaction times of low-g individuals are more spread-out than those of high-g individuals.^[25]

The cause of the relationship is unclear. It may reflect more efficient information processing, better attentional control, or the integrity of neuronal processes.

Application of mental chronometry in biological psychology/cognitive neuroscience[link]

With the advent of the functional neuroimaging techniques of PET and fMRI, psychologists started to modify their mental chronometry paradigms for functional imaging (Posner, 2005). Although psycho(physio)logists have been using electroencephalographic measurements for decades, the images obtained with PET have attracted great interest from other branches of neuroscience, popularizing mental chronometry among a wider range of scientists in recent years. The way that mental chronometry is utilized is by performing tasks based on reaction time which measures through neuroimaging the parts of the brain which are involved in the cognitive processes.^[26]

In the 1950s, the use of a micro electrode recording of single neurons in anaesthetized monkeys allowed research to look at physiological process in the brain and supported this idea that people encode information serially.

In the 1960s, these methods were used extensively in humans: researchers recorded the electrical potentials in human brain using scalp electrodes while a reaction tasks was being conducted using digital computers. What they found was that there was a connection between the observed electrical potentials with motor and sensory stages for information processing. For example, researchers found in the recorded scalp potentials that the frontal cortex was being activated in association with motor activity. These finding can be connected to Donders’ idea of the subtractive method of the sensory and motor stages involved in reaction tasks.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, development of signal processing tool for EEG translated into a revival of research using this technique to assess the timing and the speed of mental processes. For example, high-profile research showed how reaction time on a given trial correlated with the latency of the P300 wave^[27] or how the timecourse of the EEG reflected the sequence of cognitive processes involved in perceptual processing.^[28]

With the invention of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), techniques were used to measure activity through electrical event-related potentials in a study when subjects were asked to identify if a digit that was presented was above or below five. According to Sternberg’s additive theory, each of the stages involved in performing this task includes: encoding, comparing against the stored representation for five, selecting a response, and then checking for error in the response.^[29] The fMRI image presents the specific locations where these stages are occurring in the brain while performing this simple mental chronometry task.

In the 1980s, neuroimaging experiments allowed researchers to detect the activity in localized brain areas by injecting radionuclides and using positron emission tomography (PET) to detect them. Also, fMRI was used which have detected the precise brain areas that are active during mental chronometry tasks. Many studies have shown that there is a small number of brain areas which are widely spread out which are involved in performing these cognitive tasks.

This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Please see the talk page for more information. (May 2012)

See also[link]

• Jensen Box
• CDR Computerized Assessment System
• Implicit Association Test
• Inspection time

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Luce, R.D. (1986). Response Times: Their Role in Inferring Elementary Mental Organization. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-503642-5. 
• Meyer, D.E.; Osman, A.M.; Irwin, D.E.; Yantis, S. (1988). "Modern mental chronometry". Biological Psychology 26 (1–3): 3–67. DOI:10.1016/0301-0511(88)90013-0. PMID 3061480. 
• Townsend, J.T.; Ashby, F.G. (1984). Stochastic Modeling of Elementary Psychological Processes. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-27433-8. 
• Weiss, V; Weiss, H (2003). "The golden mean as clock cycle of brain waves". Chaos, Solitons and Fractals 18 (4): 643–652. DOI:10.1016/S0960-0779(03)00026-2. http://www.v-weiss.de/chaos.html. 

External links[link]

• Reaction Time Test - Measuring Mental Chronometry on the Web
• Historical Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
• Timing the Brain: Mental Chronometry as a Tool in Neuroscience
• Sample Chronometric Test on the web

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Steve Finley
Center fielder
Born: (1965-03-12) March 12, 1965 (age 47) Union City, Tennessee
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 3, 1989 for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
June 3, 2007 for the Colorado Rockies
Career statistics
Batting average	.271
Hits	2,548
Home runs	304
Runs batted in	1,167
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (1989–1990) Houston Astros (1991–1994) San Diego Padres (1995–1998) Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2004) Los Angeles Dodgers (2004) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005) San Francisco Giants (2006) Colorado Rockies (2007)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star selection (1997, 2000) World Series champion (2001) 5× Gold Glove Award winner (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2004)

Steven Allen Finley (born March 12, 1965, in Union City, Tennessee) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.

Early life[link]

Finley, who grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, attended Paducah Tilghman High School and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in physiology and played for the baseball team from 1984–87.

Career[link]

College, Team USA, and minor leagues[link]

In 1986, Finley was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the draft, but did not sign, instead choosing to remain at SIU, where he was 2-time All-Missouri Valley Conference performer, a third-team All-American in 1986, and named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1987. He is a member of the Saluki Baseball Hall of Fame.^[1]

He was a member of the 1986 Team USA squad that won a bronze medal during international competition in the Netherlands.

In 1987, he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the draft, and did sign.

In 919 at bats in the minor leagues, Finley batted .309 and stole 68 bases.

On August 29, 2009, Finley was inducted into the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame.

Major leagues[link]

In January 1991, he was traded by the Orioles with Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling to the Houston Astros for Glenn Davis. That year he was third in the league in triples (10), sixth in hits (170), ninth in stolen bases (34), and tenth in sacrifice hits (10). His 13 outfield assists tied Barry Bonds and Paul O'Neill for third in the league.

In 1992, he led the NL in games played (162), was second in triples (13), third in stolen bases (44; a career high) and sacrifice hits (10), and seventh in hits (177).

In 1993, he led the league in triples (13). He had been slowed in spring training by Bell's Palsy, a viral infection of a nerve in his upper neck, resulting in numbness that prevented him from closing his left eye.

In 1994, he was second in the league in sacrifice hits (13), and tenth in triples (5). He appeared in only 94 games due to an injury and strike-shortened season. He missed nearly a month after being hit by a pitch on June 8 in Montreal, breaking the 3rd metacarpal bone in his right hand. In December 1994, he was traded by the Astros with Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno, Roberto Petagine, Brian Williams, and minor leaguer Sean Fesh to the San Diego Padres for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Gutiérrez, Pedro A. Martinez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley.

In 1995, Finley batted a career-high .297 and was third in the league in runs (104) and triples (8), and fourth in stolen bases (36) and hits (167). Finley also won his first Gold Glove Award. He was the only National League player to have 100 runs, 10 home runs, and 35 stolen bases. He stole a career-high 4 bases on August 12 vs. St. Louis. He was in the delivery room on September 1 when son Reed was born, and then headed to the ballpark and played in the 8th and 9th innings of San Diego's 6–3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

He was named MVP in the All-Stars Series between Japan and United States (Tokyo, 1996). Later in 1996, during Rickey Henderson’s first season with San Diego, he boarded the team bus and was looking for a seat. Finley said, “You have tenure, sit wherever you want.” Henderson looked at Finley and said, “Ten years? Rickey’s been playing at least 16, 17 years.” In 1996, Finley was second in the NL in runs (126; a career high) and doubles (45), third in extra base hits (84), fourth in triples (9), and sixth in hits (195). Finley won his second Gold Glove Award and came in tenth in the MVP voting. He established Padres' records in runs, doubles, extra-base hits, and total bases.

In 1997, he hit three home runs in a game twice in the same season (May 19 and June 23). Finley was voted to the All-Star team, and finished eighth in the league in runs (101).

In December 1998, he signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit his first game-ending grand slam (April 10, 1998. In 1999, he hit three home runs and drove in 6 runs in a game on September 8, 1999. That season he had 34 home runs and a career-high 103 RBI, and was seventh in the league in extra base hits (76). Finley also won his third Gold Glove Award.

In 2000, he had 35 home runs and a career-high .544 slugging percentage, and was ninth in the league in sacrifice flies (9). He was also voted to the All Star team. Finley also had 10 outfield assists and won his fourth Gold Glove Award. He was named the team co-Player-of-the-Year with Luis Gonzalez by the Arizona chapter of the BBWAA.

In 2001, Finley had a disappointing regular season but had a stellar post season, leading the Diamondbacks with a .421 batting average in the National League Division Series and 5 RBI in the National League Championship Series as Arizona went on to win its first World Series. On August 30 of that year, Finley became the Diamondback's first position player to serve as a relief pitcher, during a 13-5 loss to the San Francisco Giants. [1]

In 2003, Finley led the league in triples (10), becoming the oldest player in Major League history to lead his league in triples.

In July 2004, he was traded by the Diamondbacks with Brent Mayne to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Koyie Hill, Reggie Abercrombie, and Bill Murphy (minors).

He hit his second career game-ending grand slam October 2, 2004. In 2004, he was eighth in at bats (628) and plate appearances (706), and was ninth in home runs (36; the third highest total ever for a 39-year-old in the Majors, behind Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron). Finley also won his fifth Gold Glove Award. He also tied Pete Rose's record of playing in 162 games at the age of 39.[2] He hit a game-winning, walk-off grand slam to cap a seven-run ninth inning on October 2 against San Francisco that clinched National League Western Division championship for the Dodgers.

In December 2004, Finley signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2005, he missed 18 games due to strained right shoulder, his first DL stint since 1997. In December 2005 he was traded by the Angels to the San Francisco Giants for Edgardo Alfonzo.

In 2006, at the age of 41, Finley became the oldest player ever to play more than 100 games in center field.

On November 1, 2006, the Giants declined their option on Finley for the 2007 season, which made him a free agent. On February 24, 2007, Finley signed a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies. After an impressive spring, Finley made their Opening Day roster. On June 5, 2007 the Rockies designated Finley for assignment, giving the Rockies 10 days to trade, release, or outright Finley to the minor leagues. Finley had batted .181 (17-for-94) with one home run and two RBIs in 43 games for Colorado.[3] He was released on June 17, 2007. At the time of his release, of all active players, he was 1st in triples (124), 3rd in games (2,583) and at-bats (9,397), 4th in hits (2,548), 7th in runs (1,443), 8th in total bases (4,157), and 9th in doubles (449) and stolen bases (320). He also had the 4th-most center field appearances in major league history. He was also the sixth-oldest player in the NL.

See also[link]

• List of NL Gold Glove Winners at Outfield
• List of major league players with 2,000 hits
• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• 2001 World Series
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
• List of Major League Baseball triples champions

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Baseball Almanac – photos and miscellaneous
• BaseballLibrary – biography and career highlights

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger during the Super Bowl XL victory parade in Pittsburgh
No. 7     Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1982-03-02) March 2, 1982 (age 30)
Place of birth: Lima, Ohio
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Weight: 241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
College: Miami (OH)
NFL Draft: 2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Debuted in 2004 for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2004-present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2004) Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2004) 2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII) 3× AFC Champion (2005, 2008, 2010) 2× Pro Bowl (2007, 2011) "Joe Greene Great Performance Award" (2004) #7 jersey retired (Miami University Redhawks) 2009 Steelers MVP Other Records and Awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
TD-INT 165-100 Passing yards 26,579 Passer rating 92.1 Stats at NFL.com

Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger (pronounced /ˈrɒθlɨsbɜrɡər/; born March 2, 1982), nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round (11th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Miami University.

Roethlisberger earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007. He became the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history, helping lead the Steelers, in his second professional season, to a 21–10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23. Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a second Super Bowl title in four seasons as they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, 27–23, after completing a game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the final 35 seconds.

Roethlisberger has been one of the most efficient passers in NFL history. He currently ranks 10th all-time in NFL passer rating (92.9), 5th in yards per attempt (8.06), and 11th in completion percentage (63.24%) among quarterbacks with a minimum of 1,500 career attempts. He has the fourth highest career winning percentage (.710) as a starter in the regular season among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 starts.

Off the field, Roethlisberger has been involved in high-profile incidents, including a nearly fatal motorcycle accident in 2006 and sexual assault allegations in Lake Tahoe in 2008 and in Milledgeville, Georgia, in 2010. Neither allegation resulted in charges being filed; however, the latter act resulted in Roethlisberger being suspended for six games (reduced to four) under the NFL's personal conduct policy for the start of the 2010 season.

Known for playing outside the quarterback pocket in what he calls "backyard football",^[1] Roethlisberger grew up idolizing John Elway, and has often been compared to him.^[2] Roethlisberger wears number 7 in Elway's honor.^[3]

Early years[link]

Roethlisberger was born in Lima, Ohio,^[4] the son of Ida Jane (née Foust) and Kenneth Todd "Ken" Roethlisberger. His father is a former pitcher and quarterback at Georgia Tech.^[5][6] He is of part Swiss descent; his surname, "Roethlisberger" (Swiss-German spelling: Röthlisberger), is of Swiss origin with roots in the village of Geissbuehl Lauperswil, Switzerland.^[7][8]

At Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, Roethlisberger was captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams. Roethlisberger did not play quarterback until his senior year, giving way to the coach's son, Ryan Hite. Instead, Roethlisberger played wide receiver because, as coach Cliff Hite explained to the Toledo Blade, "My son throwing to Ben was a better combination."^[9] Hite told the Toledo Blade regarding the decision to start his son at quarterback over Roethlisberger: "I'm a nationally known knucklehead."^[9]

College career[link]

Roethslisberger played college quarterback at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. At Miami, he got a chance to start as a redshirt freshman and started three years of Division I college football despite only a single year experience as a high school quarterback.^[10] Roethlisberger holds every major passing record at the school and a number of passing records in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). He played just three years before joining the NFL, leaving school four college credits shy of graduating.^[11]

As a redshirt freshman, Roethlisberger threw for over 3,100 yards. In 2002, he threw more than 3,200 yards, and in 2003, he threw more than 4,400 yards. In 2003, Roethlisberger led the Miami RedHawks to an unbeaten record in the MAC, a No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press poll and a 49-28 victory over Louisville in the 2003 GMAC Bowl.^[10]

His number was retired by the RedHawks in 91st annual homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007, with festivities including the RedHawks football game against Bowling Green; Roethlisberger becoming only the third athlete in Miami football history to have his jersey number retired, joining John Pont and Bob Hitchens. It was the first time in 34 years Miami retired a football jersey number.^[12][13]

The Draft[link]

The success of the 2003 Miami Redhawks led to the expectation that Roethlisberger would be drafted early. During the GMAC Bowl, commentators discussed some of his skills that would translate to success in the NFL.

At the combine, Roethlisberger scored a 25 on the Wonderlic.^[14] Roethlisberger was one of the players invited to attend the draft along with others in the "Green Room" and was featured on the show "Hey Rookie Welcome to the NFL."

Quarterback class of 2004[link]

Roethlisberger was one of four quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft along with Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, and J.P. Losman. Due to the trade between Manning and Rivers, Roethlisberger was the highest-drafted quarterback that year that played for the team that drafted him. Before Paul Tagliabue announced the selection of Roethlisberger, the phone call he received by Steelers head coach Bill Cowher was shown live on ESPN, confirming the team's selection before the official announcement.

Roethlisberger, Rivers, and Manning have been voted to the Pro Bowl since becoming starters, none have produced a season with a losing record (although each has had an 8-8 season), and Roethlisberger and Manning have each won two Super Bowls. They have been compared favorably to the Quarterback class of 1983, which included Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly.^[15]

Professional career[link]

Roethlisberger takes a snap against the Bengals in 2006.

Roethlisberger was selected 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. On August 4, 2004, he signed a six-year contract worth $22.26 million in salaries and bonuses, with an additional $17.73 million available via incentives. He was touted by then-Steelers coach Bill Cowher in a press conference as a franchise quarterback.^[16]

On March 4, 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Roethlisberger agreed to an eight-year, $102 million contract.^[17] Roethlisberger had two years left on his original that he signed after the draft. He has stated that he wants to retire as a Steeler.^[18]

2004 season[link]

Roethlisberger did not immediately step in as the starting quarterback for the Steelers. He was the No. 3 QB behind Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch. When Batch was injured in the preseason, however, Roethlisberger moved up to no. 2. Maddox started, and won, the season opener against the Raiders and started versus the Ravens. But after an ineffective outing and third-quarter injury to Maddox, Roethlisberger stepped in for his first NFL action. Despite spurring a mild comeback, the Steelers lost the game. Maddox's injury changed the Steelers' original plan for Roethlisberger, which was for him to sit on the bench or play sparingly during the first season or two in order to learn the team's system. Instead, he started the third game of the season.

As a rookie, he went 13-0 in the regular season (14–1 including playoffs) as a starting quarterback, helping the Steelers become the first AFC team to have 15 wins (2–1 under Maddox [first two and last game], 13–0 under Roethlisberger) in a single regular season, surpassing former Steeler Mike Kruczek for the record for the best start by a rookie (6-0) and exceeding the mark for total wins as a rookie, set by Chris Chandler and Joe Ferguson. On January 5, 2005, Roethlisberger was unanimously selected as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, the first quarterback in 34 years to be so honored.

One of Roethlisberger's biggest games was when he led the Steelers to a 34–20 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion and previously undefeated New England Patriots, ending their NFL-record 21-game winning streak. He completed 18 of 24 pass attempts for 196 yards, two TDs and no turnovers. The week after that game, the Steelers defeated the also previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles 27–3. Roethlisberger was 11 of 18 for 183 yards, with two TDs and one interception.

In his first nationally-televised game on Sunday Night Football, he led the Steelers to a 17–16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was near-perfect on the night, completing 14 of 17 passes for 226 yards and two TDs. Jeff Reed's 37-yard field goal in the final minute gave the Steelers and Roethlisberger their tenth straight win.

Two weeks later, Roethlisberger faced off against the New York Giants and the no. 1 overall pick of the 2004 draft, Eli Manning. Roethlisberger posted his first career 300-yard passing game, with 18 of 28 passes for 316 yards and a TD. He led his fifth game-winning drive of the season, capping a drive with a Jerome Bettis TD run for a 33–30 victory. Eli Manning threw an interception to seal the game for Pittsburgh.

In the divisional playoffs against the New York Jets, Roethlisberger threw two interceptions. One interception was returned for a touchdown, and the other was thrown with 2:03 left in the fourth quarter, which set up a potential game-winning field goal by Jets kicker Doug Brien. Brien missed the kick as time expired (his second missed kick in the last two minutes of the game), forcing the game into overtime. In overtime, Roethlisberger led the Steelers down the field and put them in position for the game-winning field goal, a 33-yard attempt that was made by Jeff Reed, sending the Steelers into the AFC Championship for the fourth time in 10 years.

On January 23, 2005 in the AFC Championship Game in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for 226 yards and two TDs, but he also threw three costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Rodney Harrison. The Steelers lost the game to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, by a score of 41–27.

2005 Super Bowl season[link]

Roethlisberger signs autographs at Super Bowl XL media day.

In the 2005 regular season, the Steelers finished 11-5. After securing an AFC wild card spot en route to victory in the Super Bowl, the Steelers pulled off upsets at Indianapolis and Denver in the AFC playoffs in addition to wins over higher seeds Cincinnati and Seattle.

During the course of the regular 2005 season, Roethlisberger missed four games due to various knee injuries. The Steelers went 9-3 with Roethlisberger at quarterback and 2-2 without him. He led the league in Yards Per Attempt with an 8.90, and finished third in passer rating behind Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer with a 98.6.^[19]

The Super Bowl run began on January 8, 2006 as Roethlisberger helped lead the Steelers to a playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals—an AFC North rival that had beaten the Steelers by seven points in the regular season to win the division championship. The rematch featured two teams with identical records, having split their regular season series since each team won on the road. Early in the game on Carson Palmer's first throw, a tackle by former Steeler Kimo von Oelhoffen resulted in Palmer's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) being completely torn. The Bengals' backup quarterback, Jon Kitna, came in and led the Bengals to leads of 10-0 and 17-7. However, the 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter would be the last time in the 2005 postseason that the Steelers would trail an opponent by more than three points. After Kitna failed to produce, the Steelers took advantage by taking the next 24 straight points, and the win, in a 31-17 victory in Cincinnati.

Their second road win came on January 15. Roethlisberger led the Steelers against the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL's top team throughout the season and a heavy favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XL. Roethlisberger threw for 197 yards and recorded a game-saving tackle on Colts' defensive back Nick Harper, who had just recovered a Jerome Bettis fumble with less than two minutes left in the game. Pittsburgh led early but had to survive a Colts comeback to win 21-18, after an errant call that the NFL later admitted was a mistake,^[20] which overturned a Troy Polamalu interception that would have secured the game for the Steelers. Roethlisberger's tackle on Harper, dubbed by many as The Tackle II or The Immaculate Redemption, was compared by many to "The Immaculate Reception" in 1972, when Franco Harris made a miraculous reception and scored the game-winning touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. The victory marked the first time in playoff history that a sixth-seeded NFL playoff team defeated the top-seeded team.

On January 22, 2006, the Steelers defeated the Broncos 34-17 in Denver to win the AFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XL. Roethlisberger completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and threw two touchdown passes and scored one TD himself on a four-yard play-action bootleg. His run was the last touchdown of the game, sealing the win for the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL 21-10 over the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit on February 5, 2006. Roethlisberger had one of the worst passing games of his career, completing just nine of 21 passes for 123 yards and two interceptions; his passer rating of 22.6 was the lowest in Super Bowl history by a winning quarterback. Though he did convert eight third-down situations in the game to help the Steelers win, none of them was bigger than his 37-yard pass to Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward on a third-and-28 that set up the Steelers' first TD (a one-yard quarterback sneak by Roethlisberger on third and goal). With the victory, Roethlisberger, at 23 years old, became the youngest quarterback to win the Super Bowl, a record previously held by Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.

2006 season[link]

Roethlisberger drops back against Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. Steelers won 45-7.

After an off-season motorcycle crash in which he was seriously injured, Roethlisberger missed the opening game of the 2006 season after having an emergency appendectomy on September 3. Backup Charlie Batch started and led the Steelers to a victory over Miami. Roethlisberger played the following game against Jacksonville on Monday Night Football. His return resulted in a sub-par performance as he threw two interceptions with no touchdowns in a 9-0 loss. In week three, Roethlisberger completed fewer than half of his passes for three interceptions and no touchdowns in a 28-20 loss to the Bengals. The final interception came in the final seconds of the game, in the end zone, ending Pittsburgh's comeback attempt.

In a week-five game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Night Football, Roethlisberger looked sharp throughout the first half, leading three scoring drives. However, in the second half, he threw two interceptions, both of which shifted momentum away from the Steelers and led to the Chargers' 23-13 win. In week six against the Kansas City Chiefs, Roethlisberger had his first big game of the season, completing 16 of 19 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns (his first of the year) and no interceptions during a 45-7 rout of the Chiefs. During week seven in Atlanta, Roethlisberger continued his success, going 16 of 22 for 237 yards and three TDs. But during the third quarter, Roethlisberger was helped off the field after suffering a concussion following a controversial hit by Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney. Roethlisberger was replaced by Charlie Batch, and the Steelers went on to lose 41-38 in overtime.

On October 29 against the Oakland Raiders, Roethlisberger threw four interceptions in a 20-13 upset loss. The loss was his fifth of the season—two more than he had in his first two seasons combined as a starter—and gave him a total of 11 INTs, versus just six TDs, on the season. In a week-nine rematch of the 2005 AFC championship game against Denver, Roethlisberger threw a career-high 433 yards but had three of the six Steelers turnovers in a 31-20 loss. Roethlisberger and the Steelers got back on a winning track in a home game a week later against the New Orleans Saints. He passed for 265 yards and three TDs in a 38-31 win.

In week 11, Roethlisberger overcame three first-half INTs by throwing for 224 yards and two TDs in the fourth quarter, leading the Steelers to score 21 points and come back to beat the Cleveland Browns 24-20. The following week, Roethlisberger and the Steelers were held scoreless in a 27-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Roethlisberger finished 21 of 41 for 214 yards and two INTs. He was sacked nine times, including once by Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, which sent him to the sidelines briefly. He also fumbled once, which the Ravens returned for a TD in the second half. Roethlisberger bounced back the following game, throwing for 198 yards and two TDs in a 20-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Pittsburgh kept their playoff hopes alive in week 14 with a 27-7 victory against the Browns. Roethlisberger went 11 of 21 for 225 yards with one TD, and rushed for one more. In week 15, Roethlisberger threw for 140 yards and a TD in a 37-3 rout of the Carolina Panthers. The following week, Baltimore eliminated Pittsburgh from the playoffs. In the 31-7 defeat, Roethlisberger was intercepted twice and threw for 156 yards.

Roethlisberger ended the season on a good note by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-17 in overtime in what would be Bill Cowher's final game as Steelers coach. He was 19 for 28 passing with 280 yards, one TD, and one INT. In overtime, Roethlisberger completed a slant pass to rookie Santonio Holmes, who went 67 yards for the game-winning TD. This win eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention.

2007 season[link]

Season recap[link]

Week 1 at Cleveland Browns (W 34-7): Roethlisberger threw four TD passes in a game for the first time in his NFL career as he led the Steelers to a win in the debut of new Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin.^[21]

Week 2 vs. Buffalo Bills (W 26-3): After settling for four field goals in the first half, Roethlisberger threw a one-yard TD pass to rookie tight end Matt Spaeth in the third quarter.^[22]

Roethlisberger in a Steelers' throwback jersey during 500th franchise win

Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers (W 37-16): Roethlisberger was 13 of 20 passing for 160 yards and a touchdown pass to the third TE, Jerame Tuman.^[23]

Week 4 at Arizona Cardinals (L 21-14): Roethlisberger looked to get a win over his former offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, now the head coach of the Cardinals. However, Roethlisberger had his first loss of the season as he was intercepted twice; once in the red zone, and then on a desperation pass with six seconds left in the game.^[24]

Week 5 vs. Seattle Seahawks (W 21-0): Despite starting wide receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes missing the game due to injury, Roethlisberger completed 18 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown pass to Heath Miller.^[25]

Week 7 at Denver Broncos (L 31-28): On Sunday Night Football, Roethlisberger turned the ball over three times in the first half, before throwing three touchdown passes on the Steelers' three offensive drives in the second half; his last score tied the game at 28. Denver won on a last second field goal.^[26]

Week 8 at Cincinnati Bengals (W 24-13): Roethlisberger threw a pair of touchdown passes to Hines Ward in the first half, and finished the game with 230 yards passing.^[27]

Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 38-7): On Monday Night Football, Roethlisberger passed for a career-high five touchdown passes, which tied the team record held by Terry Bradshaw and Mark Malone. All five touchdowns were thrown in the first half, making Roethlisberger one of two quarterbacks in the 2007 season (the other being Tom Brady), and only the fifth quarterback since the 1970 merger, to accomplish such a feat. He also posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating, finishing 13/16 for 209 yards and no interceptions.^[28]

Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns (W 31-28): Roethlisberger helped the Steelers erase a 15-point deficit against the rival Browns. With the Steelers trailing 21-16 in the fourth quarter and facing a third-and-10 from the Cleveland 30-yard line, Roethlisberger scrambled up the middle of the field for a 30-yard TD run (the longest run of his career at that point). He then completed a two-point conversion pass to Hines Ward. After the Browns returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD, Roethlisberger again had to drive the offense with a four-point deficit. This time he made three crucial plays on third down: an 18-yard pass to Santonio Holmes on third-and-six, a 20-yard pass to Heath Miller on a third-and-18, and a 10-yard scramble on third-and-nine. Roethlisberger capped off the drive with a short TD pass to Heath Miller, which proved to be the game winner.^[29]

Week 11 at New York Jets (L 19-16 OT): After Roethlisberger led a go ahead field goal drive in the fourth quarter, the Jets forced the Steelers to overtime, where after a three and out by Pittsburgh, the Jets kicked the winning field goal. Roethlisberger was sacked seven times in the game.^[30]

Week 12 vs. Miami Dolphins (W 3-0): Roethlisberger set a Steelers record, completing 85.7% of his passes (18 of 21) as the Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins 3-0, a feat made all the more remarkable given the weather conditions. Pittsburgh was hit with a torrential storm, delaying the Monday night game 30 minutes due to lightning, while turning the new sod on the field, laid earlier that week, into a soggy mess. In many parts of the field, players sunk several inches with each step. After one of the game's punts, the ball infamously stood straight up, stuck in the ground upon impact. With the game scoreless in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger led a game-winning field goal drive for the only points of the night.^[31]

Week 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (L 29-22): Roethlisberger threw his 29th TD pass of the season, to Nate Washington, breaking the team single-season TD pass record previously held by Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. The score also helped complete a 15-point comeback in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 22. On the final drive, down 29-22 and facing a fourth-and-seven, Roethlisberger completed a 6-yard pass to Heath Miller, short of the first down.^[32]

Week 16 at St. Louis Rams (W 41-24): On Thursday Night Football, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback in NFL history to have two perfect passer rating (158.3) games in the same regular season, completing 16/20 passes for 261 yards and 3 TDs. It was his third career perfect passer rating game, tying Peyton Manning for the most such regular-season games in NFL history.^[33] Roethlisberger and other key starters did not play in the week 17 finale at Baltimore, as they had already clinched the AFC North division title and their spot in the AFC playoffs.

To cap his comeback season, Roethlisberger was selected to his first Pro Bowl, joining five other Steelers teammates on the AFC squad. Roethlisberger's 32 touchdown passes ranked third in the NFL, behind Tony Romo and Tom Brady, while his 104.1 passer rating was second only to Brady. Roethlisberger also set a new Steelers single-season record with 32 touchdown passes.

AFC Wild Card vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (L 31-29): In a week 15 rematch, Roethlisberger struggled early, throwing three interceptions in the 2nd quarter, one being returned for a TD by Rashean Mathis as the Steelers trailed 21-7 at halftime. With the injury to Willie Parker, the Steelers were never able to mount a rushing attack as the backs finished with 22 carries for 30 yards. The Steelers trailed 28-10 to start the 4th quarter, and were facing a 4th & 12 at the Jaguar 37 yard line. Roethlisberger completed a quick slant against the blitz to Santonio Holmes, who broke a tackle and scored to make it 28-17. Roethlisberger led a TD drive on each of the next two Steeler possessions as they took a 29-28 lead with just over six minutes remaining. However, they failed to convert the two-point conversion both times, and the Jaguars were able to get the game-winning FG after Jacksonville QB David Garrard scrambled for 32 yards on a fourth-and-two play. In the second half alone, Roethlisberger completed 17 of 23 passes for 263 yards and 2 TD passes. Roethlisberger did get the ball back with twenty-nine seconds left, but was sacked for the sixth time in the game and fumbled.^[34]

Despite the disappointing playoff loss, Roethlisberger enjoyed a successful comeback season. He finished third in Comeback Player of the Year voting, behind the Patriots' Randy Moss and the Dallas Cowboys' Greg Ellis, who won the award.^[35] Roethlisberger played in his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii, and played three series in the 2nd quarter, going 5/9 for 42 yards and a TD, and he led the AFC team in rushing with an 18-yard scramble. The NFC won the game 42-30.^[36]

2008 Super Bowl season[link]

Season recap[link]

Week 1 vs. Houston Texans (W 38-17): Completed 13 of 14 passes for a career-high 92.9 completion percentage (min. 10 attempts), and finished with 137 yards passing and two TD passes. Byron Leftwich took over in the fourth quarter when Roethlisberger was on the sideline with a shoulder injury.^[37]

Week 2 at Cleveland Browns (W 10-6): Leading the Steelers to their 10th straight win over the Browns on a windy, rainy night in Cleveland, Roethlisberger completed 13 of 20 passes for 179 yards and a TD. He also had the first pass reception of his career, a negative-seven yard completion to himself after a deflected pass in the 2nd quarter.^[38]

Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles (L 15-6): Behind a relentless pass rush by Philadelphia, Roethlisberger was sacked eight times, fumbled twice, threw one interception, and was called for a safety in the fourth quarter. He did not finish the game, as his throwing hand was injured.^[39]

Week 4 vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 23-20 OT): On Monday Night Football against a division rival, the Steelers trailed 13-3 at halftime. Roethlisberger threw a TD pass to Santonio Holmes in the third quarter to start a comeback. He completed two passes to Mewelde Moore for 31 yards in overtime, setting up Jeff Reed for the winning 46-yard field goal.^[40]

Week 5 at Jacksonville Jaguars (W 26-21): On Sunday Night Football, completed 26 of 41 passes for 309 yards and three TDs. His 239 yards passing in the first half was a career high. After falling behind 21-20 in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger directed the game-winning drive, passing for an eight-yard TD to Hines Ward to put the Steelers ahead.^[41] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and the FedEx Air Player of the Week for his performance.^[42]

Week 7 at Cincinnati Bengals (W 38-10): Off the bye, Roethlisberger passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns. It was the Steelers' eighth straight win in Cincinnati, and Roethlisberger was the quarterback for six of those games (it was his overall 11th win in 11 games in the state of Ohio).^[43]

Week 8 vs. New York Giants (L 21-14): Against the defending champions, Roethlisberger was sacked five times, threw one touchdown, and tied a career-high with four interceptions.^[44]

Week 9 at Washington Redskins (W 23-6): On Monday Night Football, Roethlisberger had one of the worst performances of his career, posting career lows in passer rating (15.1), completions (5), passing yards (50), yards per attempt (2.94) and completion percentage (29.4%). Overall, he was 5 of 17 for 50 yards, an interception, three sacks. Before halftime, Roethlisberger re-injured his throwing shoulder in the game when he rushed for a one-yard TD that put the Steelers ahead 10-6. He did not return in the second half, as backup Byron Leftwich finished the game.^[45]

Week 10 vs. Indianapolis Colts (L 24-20): Despite missing practice until Friday with the sore shoulder, Roethlisberger started. The Steelers led 17-7 in the second quarter before a costly interception late in the half, which the Colts used to score a touchdown. The game was tied at 17 in the fourth quarter when Roethlisberger led a field-goal drive. But on the next drive he was intercepted, which set up Peyton Manning for the game-winning TD pass. Roethlisberger was intercepted a third time on a Hail Mary attempt in the end zone on the game's final play. Overall, Roethlisberger completed 29 passes for 280 yards, no TDs, and three INTs. After the game, Roethlisberger was quoted as saying, "You'll never hear me say 'I' anything, but I lost this game."^[46]

Week 11 vs. San Diego Chargers (W 11-10): Roethlisberger completed 31 of 41 passes for 308 yards and no interceptions. He led his third game-winning drive of the season (16th of his career) as Jeff Reed's 32-yard field goal connected with 0:11 left. It was the first 11-10 game in NFL history.^[47]

Week 12 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W 27-10): On Thursday Night Football, Roethlisberger threw for 243 yards and one TD and rushed for his second TD of the season.^[48]

Week 13 at New England Patriots (W 33-10): In consistent rain, Roethlisberger completed 17 of 33 passes for 179 yards, two TDs, and one INT. After falling behind 10-3 in the second quarter, Roethlisberger and the fierce Steelers' defense led the Steelers to 30 unanswered points in a 33-10 victory.^[49]

Week 14 vs. Dallas Cowboys (W 20-13): Steelers trailed 13-3 in the fourth quarter before tying the game on Roethlisberger's six-yard TD pass to Heath Miller. The Steelers won 20-13 after Deshea Townsend intercepted a Tony Romo pass for a TD. Roethlisberger passed for 204 yards and one TD.^[50] It was Roethlisberger's 49th victory as a starting QB, breaking the record for the most ever by a QB in their first five NFL seasons.^[51]

Week 15 at Baltimore Ravens (W 13-9): Steelers trailed 9-3 in the 4th quarter. After a FG to make it 9-6, the Steelers took over with 3:38 remaining. Roethlisberger led a 92-yard, game-winning TD drive, culminating in a four-yard TD pass to Santonio Holmes for the 13-9 victory. The TD was confirmed by instant replay from a booth review. It was Roethlisberger's 50th victory as a starter and fifth game-winning/tying drive in the fourth quarter/OT of the season, and it clinched the second straight AFC North title for the Steelers. Roethlisberger threw for 246 yards and rushed for 21 more in the game. He completed seven passes for 89 yards on the winning drive.^[52]

Week 16 at Tennessee Titans (L 31-14): After falling behind 10-0, Roethlisberger threw two TD passes to take a 14-10 lead in the third quarter. Later, an interception ended a streak of 131 passes without an interception, the longest of his career. After 14 unanswered by the Titans, Roethlisberger threw a second interception, which was returned for an 83-yard TD in the final minute. The Steelers' loss clinched the no. 2 seed. Roethlisberger completed 25 of 39 passes for 329 yards, two TDs, two INTs, and four fumbles (lost two).^[53]

Week 17 vs. Cleveland Browns (W 31–0): Roethlisberger suffered simultaneous hard hits from Willie McGinest and D'Qwell Jackson just after the two-minute warning in the first half. He lay on the field for roughly 15 minutes before being carted off on a stretcher and taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion, but practiced during the week leading up to the playoff opener.^[54]

AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. San Diego Chargers (W 35–24): Roethlisberger shook off past demons of returning from injury to lead the Steelers to a 35–24 victory against the Chargers. After a late TD drive to close the first half with a 14-10 lead, Roethlisberger converted three third-and-long passes on a 7:56 TD drive to start the second half, putting the Steelers up by double-digits for the rest of the game. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 181 yards and a TD while being sacked just once, with no turnovers. After the game, it was revealed that his injury suffered against Cleveland in week 17 was a spinal-cord concussion.^[55]

AFC Championship vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 23-14): Roethlisberger threw for 255 yards, with one TD and no turnovers to help the Steelers beat Baltimore for the third time in the '08-'09 season and return to the Super Bowl. It was Roethlisberger's seventh playoff win in his first five seasons, moving him past Troy Aikman for second-most all-time (first is Tom Brady with nine).^[56]

Super Bowl vs. Arizona Cardinals (W 27–23): Wanting to atone for his performance in Super Bowl XL, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to one of the more dramatic victories in Super Bowl history. On the first two offensive drives, Roethlisberger passed for 122 yards on seven of eight passing attempts, which was one yard shy of his total amount from his first Super Bowl start. The Steelers led 10-0 and went into halftime up 17-7. The lead grew to 20-7 before Arizona mounted a comeback. Trailing for the first time in the game, 23-20, with 2:30 remaining in the game, Roethlisberger took the field to start the winning drive. After a holding penalty on the first play, Roethlisberger marched the Steelers 88 yards in eight plays, hooking up with game MVP Santonio Holmes four times for 73 yards on the drive, including the six-yard TD pass that put the Steelers ahead with 0:35 remaining.^[57] Overall, Roethlisberger finished 21 of 30 for 256 yards, one TD, and one INT. He had a passer rating of 93.2.^[58]

2009 season[link]

Season recap[link]

Week 1 vs. Tennessee Titans (W 13-10 OT): Completed 33 of 43 passes for 363 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs in the 16th fourth quarter comeback of his career on the opening night of the 2009 season.

Week 2 at Chicago Bears (L 17-14): With the game tied at 14, Roethlisberger drove the Steelers into field goal range. However, Jeff Reed missed his second attempt of the quarter and Chicago would win on a field goal in the final seconds.

Week 3 at Cincinnati Bengals (L 23-20): The Steelers were dominant in the first half and led 20-9 in the fourth quarter, but the defense surrendered the lead with fourteen seconds left. Roethlisberger got the ball back with two seconds remaining and his hail mary was incomplete. It is his first NFL loss in the state of Ohio, snapping an 11-0 record.^[59]

Week 4 vs. San Diego Chargers (W 38-28): Roethlisberger led the Steelers to touchdowns on four of their first five possessions to take a 28-0 lead in the second half. The Steelers hung on for victory, as Roethlisberger recorded his second 300 yard passing game of the season with 333 yards, 2 TDs and no turnovers.^[60]

Week 5 vs. Detroit Lions (W 28-20): Roethlisberger completed over 70% of his passes for the third straight game and threw a season-high 3 TD passes.^[61]

Week 6 vs. Cleveland Browns (W 27-14): Improved his record to 10-0 against the Browns by throwing for 417 yards and 2 TDs.^[62]

Week 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings (W 27-17): Against the 6-0 Vikings, Roethlisberger completed 14 of 26 passes for 175 yards and threw a 40 yard TD pass to Mike Wallace before halftime.^[63]

Week 9 at Denver Broncos (W 28-10): On Monday Night Football, Roethlisberger used the no-huddle offense to lead a dominant second half, as he threw for 233 yards and 3 TD passes to get his first regular season win over Denver.^[64]

Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L 18-12): After completing 70.6% of his passes through the first eight games of the season, Roethlisberger was 20/40 (50%) against Cincinnati for a season-low 174 yards. He was sacked 4 times and failed to throw a TD pass for the first time in 2009.^[65]

Week 11 at Kansas City Chiefs (L 27-24 OT): Roethlisberger had thrown for 398 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game in overtime after taking a knee to the helmet on a scramble attempt.^[66] He suffered the fourth concussion of his NFL career.^[67]

Week 13 vs. Oakland Raiders (L 27-24): After sitting out the overtime loss in week 12 at Baltimore, Roethlisberger started against the Raiders and passed for 278 yards and 2 TD passes. He threw a go ahead TD pass to Hines Ward with 1:56 remaining, only to have the Raiders answer back with a winning TD with nine seconds left. The Steelers could not hold three leads in the fourth quarter. They led 10-6, 17-13 and 24-20. It was the fifth loss of the season in which they surrendered the lead in the final quarter.^[68]

Week 14 at Cleveland Browns (L 13-6): On a frigid Thursday night in Cleveland, Roethlisberger was sacked 8 times and did not lead a touchdown drive in his first career loss to Cleveland, ending a perfect 10-0 record against the rival Browns. It is the first time he lost four straight starts.^[69]

Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers (W 37-36): Roethlisberger broke several franchise passing records in ending the five game losing streak for the Steelers with the biggest passing day in franchise history. His first pass of the day was a 60 yard TD to Mike Wallace, and his last pass was a game-winning 19 yard TD to Wallace on the final play of the game. He passed for 503 yards, 3 TDs, and had no turnovers. He broke Terry Bradshaw's single-season record of 3,724 passing yards, and set a new mark for single-season completions (302). After leading a FG drive to take a 30-28 lead, the defense again surrendered the lead and the Steelers trailed 36-30. Roethlisberger used all 2:01 he had left to drive the team 86 yards for the winning TD with no time remaining.^[70] Roethlisberger was named AFC Player of the Week for his effort; the 5th time he has won that award in his career.^[71]

Week 16 vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 23-20): Roethlisberger's 259 yard effort helped him become the first QB in franchise history to pass for over 4000 yards in a single season. With the game tied at 20 in the final quarter, he led the Steelers on the game-winning FG drive as they improved to 8-7.^[72]

Week 17 at Miami Dolphins (W 30-24): Roethlisberger ended the season with a win in Miami as he threw for 220 yards and 3 TD passes to finish the season with 4,328 yards and 26 TD passes. He was 9-6 as a starter and his 100.5 passer rating was the second time in his career he had a season with a rating over 100. He was sacked 50 times in 2009. Despite the three game win streak to end the season, the Steelers did not make the playoffs after tie-breakers eliminated them. Roethlisberger was voted as team MVP by the Steelers for the first time in his career.^[73] He was selected as the first alternate to the Pro Bowl, but declined the invitation to rest his right shoulder which was injured in the Miami game.^[74]

2010 season[link]

Season recap[link]

Week 6 vs. Cleveland Browns (W 28-10): After being suspended for the first four games of the season under the NFL player conduct policy, Roethlisberger returned to the Steelers during their Week 5 bye week. In his first game of the season he completed 16 of 27 passes for 258 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT.^[75]

Week 7 at Miami Dolphins (W 23-22): Trailing 22-20 with 2:37 remaining in the game, Roethlisberger was at the center of controversy when he ran a QB draw and dove for the end zone, appearing to score a TD in the process. The play was ruled a TD on the field, but reviews showed Roethlisberger had fumbled short of the end zone. However, the review failed to provide conclusive evidence as to who recovered the ball after the fumble. By rule, possession was given to Pittsburgh, resulting in the game-winning field goal. Roethlisberger passed for 302 yards and 2 TDs in the game. "Just a bizarre kind of play. You hate to win it that way, but you'll take a win," Roethlisberger said.^[76]

Week 8 at New Orleans Saints (L 20-10): In his 90th regular season game, Roethlisberger reached the 20,000 yard passing mark, but failed to throw a TD pass as the Steelers lost on Halloween night in the Superdome.^[77]

Week 9 at Cincinnati Bengals (W 27-21): Roethlisberger improved to 8-2 as a starter on Monday Night Football, and 63-27 over his first 90 regular season starts (tied with Jim McMahon for 3rd highest win percentage through first 90 starts).^[78]

Week 10 vs. New England Patriots (L 39-26): Roethlisberger passed for a season-high 387 yards and 3 TDs, but also had an interception returned for a score and was sacked five times as he tried to rally the Steelers from a 23-3 deficit in the second half on Sunday Night Football.^[79]

Week 11 vs. Oakland Raiders (W 35-3): In his first win over the Raiders, Roethlisberger passed for 275 yards and 3 TDs, and rushed for a career-high 55 yards and a TD. Celebrating a second quarter TD pass, Roethlisberger was punched in the face by Raiders' defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who was then ejected.^[80]

Week 12 at Buffalo Bills (W 19-16 OT): Roethlisberger passed for 246 yards and led a 13-play, 58-yard drive in overtime, kept alive by a completion to Mike Wallace for 17 yards on third and eight, to set up new Steeler kicker Shaun Suisham for the 41-yard winning field goal.^[81]

Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens (W 13-10): Roethlisberger was questionable to start the Sunday night game with a foot injury, but did start the game and suffered a broken nose on the first series after a hit to the face from Haloti Ngata. Trailing 10-6 in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger threw a go-ahead TD pass to Isaac Redman with 2:51 remaining and the Steelers held on for the win as he finished with 253 yards passing.^[82]

Week 14 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W 23-7): Roethlisberger passed for 258 yards in his 75th win as a starter (including playoffs).^[83]

Week 15 vs. New York Jets (L 22-17): After getting the ball back, trailing 22-17 with 2:08 left, Roethlisberger drove the Steelers 82 yards to the Jets' 10 yard line, but his last two passes fell incomplete in the end zone and time expired.^[84]

Week 16 vs. Carolina Panthers (W 27-3): On Thursday Night Football, Roethlisberger passed for 320 yards, a TD, and rushed for another score.^[85]

Week 17 at Cleveland Browns (W 41-9): Roethlisberger passed for 280 yards and 2 TDs as the Steelers clinched the AFC North and the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. He finished the season with a 9-3 record in 12 starts, passing for 3200 yards, 17 TDs and a career-low five interceptions.^[86]

AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 31-24): Late in the first quarter Roethlisberger was sacked and fumbled the ball, and after both teams thought the pass was incomplete, it was eventually picked up by Cory Redding for a Baltimore TD. The Steelers trailed 21-7 in the third quarter before Roethlisberger completed TD passes to Heath Miller and Hines Ward to tie the game at 21. With just over two minutes left, the game was tied 24-24 and the Steelers faced a 3rd & 19. Roethlisberger completed a deep pass to rookie wide receiver Antonio Brown for 58 yards and Rashard Mendenhall's rushing TD put the Steelers ahead for good, 31-24, with 1:33 left. It was Roethlisberger's third game-winning drive in a playoff game. He finished with 19 completions on 32 attempts for 226 yards and 2 TD passes.^[87]

AFC Championship vs. New York Jets (W 24-19): Roethlisberger rushed for a TD in the first half as the Steelers built a 24-0 lead, before the Jets scored 19 unanswered points. With two minutes remaining in the game, Roethlsiberger faced a 3rd & 6. He scrambled right and completed a 14 yard pass to Antonio Brown to seal the victory for Pittsburgh, sending them to their third Super Bowl appearance in the last six seasons. Roethlisberger completed 10 of 19 passes for a season-low 133 yards and two interceptions in the game.^[88]

Super Bowl XLV vs. Green Bay Packers (L 31-25): In his third Super Bowl start, Roethlisberger was hit as he attempted a pass to Mike Wallace in the first quarter, and it was intercepted for a touchdown by Nick Collins. The Steelers trailed 21-3 in the second quarter before Roethlisberger completed a touchdown pass to Hines Ward to make it 21-10 at halftime. The Steelers closed to within 21-17 in the third quarter, but were unable to score on their next three drives. After falling behind 28-17 in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger threw a 25 yard TD pass to Mike Wallace, and then pitched the ball to Antwaan Randle El on a lateral for the two-point conversion to make it 28-25. Taking over at his own 13 with 1:59 left and down 31-25, Roethlisberger was unable to lead the game-winning drive against Green Bay this time after his pass fell incomplete to Wallace on 4th & 5 at his own 33 yard line, ensuring the first Super Bowl loss of his career. Roethlisberger finished the game 25/40 for 263 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. "I feel like I let the city of Pittsburgh down, the fans, my coaches and my teammates," Roethlisberger said, "and it's not a good feeling."^[89]

2011 season[link]

Season recap[link]

Week 1 at Baltimore Ravens (L 35-7): In his 100th regular season game, Roethlisberger set career-worsts for turnovers (5) and largest margin of defeat (28) in his first loss against the Ravens since 2006.^[90]

Week 2 vs. Seattle Seahawks (W 24-0): Roethlisberger became the fourth quarterback to reach 70 wins in his first 100 starts, as he threw for 298 yards and did not turn the ball over. He took a shot to his right knee in the second quarter, but returned after missing two plays to finish the game.^[91]

Week 3 at Indianapolis Colts (W 23-20): Roethlisberger threw for a career-high 171 yards in the first quarter, turned the ball over three times in the second quarter, then led the Steelers to the 20th fourth quarter comeback of his career, passing Terry Bradshaw for the most in Steelers' history.^[92]

Week 4 at Houston Texans (L 17-10): Roethlisberger was sacked five times and beat up all day by the Houston defense, finishing the game with a sprained left foot. He passed for 206 yards and threw an interception on a Hail Mary attempt in the final seconds of the game.^[93]

Week 5 vs. Tennessee Titans (W 38-17): For the second time in his career, Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes in a game. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the seventh time in his career.^[94]

Week 6 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W 17-13): Roethlisberger passed for 181 yards in the first half, but only 19 in the second half as the Steelers hung on for the win.^[95]

Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals (W 32-20): Roethlisberger set the franchise record for longest pass with a 95-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace. He finished with 361 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first regular season win over the Cardinals.^[96]

Week 8 vs. New England Patriots (W 25-17): Roethlisberger beat the Tom Brady-led Patriots for the first time in seven years, completing 36/50 passes for 365 yards and 2 touchdowns.^[97] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 8th time in his career.^[98]

Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens (L 23-20): On Sunday Night Football, Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 20-16 lead with five minutes left. But the Ravens would score the winning touchdown with 0:08 left, completing the season sweep. Roethlisberger passed for 330 yards; the first time he's had a 300-yard game against Baltimore.^[99]

Week 10 at Cincinnati Bengals (W 24-17): Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 14-0 lead and held on for the win after throwing for 245 yards.^[100]

Week 12 at Kansas City Chiefs (W 13-9): Roethlisberger's career-best streak of 18 consecutive games with 200+ yards passing came to an end as he finished with 193.^[101]

Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W 35-7): Roethlisberger moved past Terry Bradshaw in the Steelers' record books; first for most times sacked, then for most pass completions in team history.^[102]

Week 14 vs. Cleveland Browns (W 14-3): In the second quarter, Roethlisberger's leg was injured on a sack and he left the game. He would return for the second half and played the rest of the game, despite limping on his high-ankle sprain. He threw a game-clinching 79-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown late in the fourth quarter. Roethlisberger finished with 280 yards passing on just 21 attempts for a career-high 13.33 YPA (min. 15 attempts). On the injury, Roethlisberger said, "It was one of the most painful things I ever felt. It felt like the middle of my leg was just, cracked ... it felt like my foot was outside of my leg." ^[103]

Week 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers (L 20-3): Roethlisberger started the game while suffering through a high-ankle sprain. During the game it was clear that Roethlisberger was still showing signs of the injury due to him limping between plays. He finished the game without any touchdowns but had 330 yards passing while throwing 3 interceptions.^[104]

Career statistics[link]

Note: Roethlisberger also has 1 reception for -7 yards that he completed to himself versus Cleveland on 9/14/2008^[105]