IT was the 2004 AFC Championship game. The Steelers had just lost to the New England Patriots 41-27 and running back Jerome Bettis was ready to retire.
Then rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger famously told “The Bus” that if he came back for one more year, he’d help get him a Super Bowl Championship.
And a fairy tale ending is just what Bettis got, getting to announce his retirement in his hometown of Detroit while hoisting the Lombardi trophy above his head.
Now, 17 years later, it’s Roethlisberger who is in the twilight of his career and Bettis with the advice on what to do moving forward.
The Hall of Fame running back told Heavy in an exclusive interview that he would tell Roethlisberger to play “until the desire is not there anymore,” adding he wants to make sure the QB doesn’t have any regrets.
Many have speculated and assume this will be Roethlisberger’s last year and that it would be the best thing for the organization.
But as Bettis says, “Nobody else can tell you when your football life is complete.”