Start your Monday off right!
“Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger”
“Ben Roethlisberger’s jersey penalized at MAC Championship – 20 years after final CFB game”
From Frank Taddeo at SI.com:
During Miami (OH) 23–14 upset win over Toledo in the 2023 MAC championship at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, college football fans were treated to a hilarious mistake from the head referee.
As the Redhawks (11–2) captured their first MAC title since 2019, a holding penalty was called on Miami’s No. 7.
However, the jersey number, which was worn by two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger, was retired by the school back in 2007.
No current Miami player wears the number.
The penalty amused those at the game who noticed the error.
Fans on social media found it comical that a penalty could be called on the jersey held by a quarterback 20 years after his last collegiate game.
Roethlisberger played for the school from 2000 to ’03.
Aveon Smith was named Offensive MVP of the game after guiding a balanced Redhawks attack. The sophomore quarterback threw for 109 yards while adding 99 rushing yards on the ground.
Congratulations to Miami RedHawks Football – first MAC title since 2019!
Champions.#RiseUpRedHawks |
pic.twitter.com/5NUqxzlpv6
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) December 2, 2023
#RiseUpRedHawks #LoveAndHonor
“Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger”, Episode 44
Big Ben on the 102.5 WDVE Morning Show
“He should get in no doubt about it. The Super Bowl play. Iconic. Just put a picture of him running the ball back behind his bust and he’s in.” — Ben, on James Harrison going into the Hall of Fame.
By Stuart Miller-Davis, SteelerNation.com:
Former 2x Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger firmly believes that Harrison does deserve to have his name called in February when the 2024 class is chosen.
Roethlisberger jumped on the 102.5 WDVE Morning Show with Billy Gardell and laid out his case for why he believes Harrison should be a lock. He said that the interception Harrison made on Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII is a big reason why.
There are many factors the selection committee has to weigh when trying to decide who gets into the Hall. Longevity is one, and career numbers are another one, but having one of the most iconic plays in league history has got to count for something.
Roethlisberger said that as an offensive player on the sidelines, he hasn’t seen very many players that can change the game like Harrison did, though he did say that current Steeler TJ Watt is showing him that. He’s also grateful that outside of two games in 2013 when Harrison was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, he got to watch Harrison ply his trade rushing the passer in a Steelers uniform.
“Any third down, anytime that guy dropped back to pass, you’re thinking we might get the ball,” Roethlisberger explained about Harrison. “Because he’s either making the guy throw it fast, or he’s hitting him so hard, he loses his head or the ball.”
Harrison was an incredibly menacing force on the football field. His bone-crushing hits earned him a reputation for being one of the toughest players to face in the league. The Steelers knew that and would send him after the opposing team’s best players to try to intimidate them, or just simply knock them out.
Roethlisberger said that Harrison’s name has often come up when he’s talking to fellow signal-callers who had to face the menace they called “Deebo,” and there’s a theme that pops up.
“I have talked to many quarterbacks that were scared to death of him. I was scared to death […]
What day is it???
“Happy 11th Birthday, Big Guy! It’s been a Blessing to see the young man that you have become. We love you so much!” — Mom, Dad, Baylee and Bodie.
