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Big Ben Roethlisberger Has Big New Contract
8-Year Deal Is Richest In Steelers History
POSTED: 9:34 am EST March 3,
2008
UPDATED: 6:02 pm EST March 3,
2008
PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to an eight-year, $102 million contract on Monday morning, a deal that moves the quarterback closer to his goal of being a lifelong Steeler.
Talk About It: Jump On Our Steelers Message Board And Post Your Comments
ESPN.com reported that Roethlisberger's contract includes more than $36 million in guarantees, making it the largest deal for any player in Steelers history. It also puts him among the highest-paid players in the National Football League.Roethlisberger said he wants to spend his entire career with one team, like Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and John Elway did."This is about being a Pittsburgh Steeler for as long as I can be," Roethlisberger said at a late-morning news conference. "I love Pittsburgh, I love the fans, and I don't want to go anywhere else."Five other quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick -- also have $100 million contracts.Roethlisberger's agents, Ryan and Bruce Tollner, said getting the deal done was a relatively easy but time-consuming process. They traveled to Pittsburgh and finalized it with the Steelers late Sunday night."It's a combination of discussions and sharing different comparisons out there -- who's done what, who's been paid what, and what is right and what is fair," Bruce Tollner said.When asked if the contract includes a clause that prohibits him from riding a motorcycle, Roethlisberger said he didn't know because he hasn't read the fine print.Bruce Tollner told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that there is no specific clause in the paperwork about motorcycles. He said the contract has a standard hazard clause, which means Roethlisberger could lose a good amount of his guaranteed money if he engages in activities of significant risk, such as skydiving or motorcycle riding.In June 2006, Roethlisberger was involved in an off-season motorcycle crash that required surgery and kept him in a Pittsburgh hospital for three days.At age 26, Roethlisberger already has a Super Bowl championship on his resume. He's coming off his best season, statistically, in which he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and posted career highs in touchdowns (32) and quarterback rating (104.1)."There's only 27 quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls, and we have one of them," said Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations.Over his four-year career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 11,673 yards and 84 touchdowns with a QB rating of 92.5."I believe that the guys we have on this team right now are exceptional players," he said. "I believe we all have the pieces of the puzzle, that we could be a championship football team. And I think the history that we have of drafting well -- we'll be able to bring guys in that will hopefully do more."
What Is Pittsburgh Saying?Here's a sampling of comments that have been posted on thepittsburghchannel.com's message board today: I'm sorry but that is way too much money. I know, that's the going rate or whatever, but I feel no one should be making that kind of money. ... Don't get me wrong, I think Ben will continue to do great things for the Steelers, but come on, that cost is just ridiculous.Does it really matter what the people of this town care how much Ben Roethlisberger is being paid??! The only persons who should concern themselves with this are the Rooneys, Ben and his agents. Mr. Rooney signs the check, what's the problem? To say Mr. Roethlisberger isn't worth this much money only shows ignorance on the part of the "fan."Glad to see the Steelers keep Big Ben. He is a very good QB and will continue to get better as he matures. Now let's concentrate on getting a better offensive line to protect him.Congratulations to Ben! He is worth this much to our city. He is deserving of this not only for his talent but also he is a most decent, kind and charitable person. Pittsburgh should be proud to have a quarterback like him commit to our city. Big Ben is good, but not that good. What is wrong with everyone?Congratulations to Ben Roethlisberger on his new big contract. Here's hoping it is money well spent and he can retire here with a couple more Super Bowl rings. I will buy his jersey, now that I know I can wear it for at least 8 more years.I am sick, there are so many homeless, uninsured, out of work people in are area as well as the country, and Ben is going to be making millions for what?
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Talk About It: Jump On Our Steelers Message Board And Post Your Comments
ESPN.com reported that Roethlisberger's contract includes more than $36 million in guarantees, making it the largest deal for any player in Steelers history. It also puts him among the highest-paid players in the National Football League.Roethlisberger said he wants to spend his entire career with one team, like Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and John Elway did."This is about being a Pittsburgh Steeler for as long as I can be," Roethlisberger said at a late-morning news conference. "I love Pittsburgh, I love the fans, and I don't want to go anywhere else."Five other quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick -- also have $100 million contracts.Roethlisberger's agents, Ryan and Bruce Tollner, said getting the deal done was a relatively easy but time-consuming process. They traveled to Pittsburgh and finalized it with the Steelers late Sunday night."It's a combination of discussions and sharing different comparisons out there -- who's done what, who's been paid what, and what is right and what is fair," Bruce Tollner said.When asked if the contract includes a clause that prohibits him from riding a motorcycle, Roethlisberger said he didn't know because he hasn't read the fine print.Bruce Tollner told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that there is no specific clause in the paperwork about motorcycles. He said the contract has a standard hazard clause, which means Roethlisberger could lose a good amount of his guaranteed money if he engages in activities of significant risk, such as skydiving or motorcycle riding.In June 2006, Roethlisberger was involved in an off-season motorcycle crash that required surgery and kept him in a Pittsburgh hospital for three days.At age 26, Roethlisberger already has a Super Bowl championship on his resume. He's coming off his best season, statistically, in which he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and posted career highs in touchdowns (32) and quarterback rating (104.1)."There's only 27 quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls, and we have one of them," said Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations.Over his four-year career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 11,673 yards and 84 touchdowns with a QB rating of 92.5."I believe that the guys we have on this team right now are exceptional players," he said. "I believe we all have the pieces of the puzzle, that we could be a championship football team. And I think the history that we have of drafting well -- we'll be able to bring guys in that will hopefully do more."
What Is Pittsburgh Saying?Here's a sampling of comments that have been posted on thepittsburghchannel.com's message board today: I'm sorry but that is way too much money. I know, that's the going rate or whatever, but I feel no one should be making that kind of money. ... Don't get me wrong, I think Ben will continue to do great things for the Steelers, but come on, that cost is just ridiculous.Does it really matter what the people of this town care how much Ben Roethlisberger is being paid??! The only persons who should concern themselves with this are the Rooneys, Ben and his agents. Mr. Rooney signs the check, what's the problem? To say Mr. Roethlisberger isn't worth this much money only shows ignorance on the part of the "fan."Glad to see the Steelers keep Big Ben. He is a very good QB and will continue to get better as he matures. Now let's concentrate on getting a better offensive line to protect him.Congratulations to Ben! He is worth this much to our city. He is deserving of this not only for his talent but also he is a most decent, kind and charitable person. Pittsburgh should be proud to have a quarterback like him commit to our city. Big Ben is good, but not that good. What is wrong with everyone?Congratulations to Ben Roethlisberger on his new big contract. Here's hoping it is money well spent and he can retire here with a couple more Super Bowl rings. I will buy his jersey, now that I know I can wear it for at least 8 more years.I am sick, there are so many homeless, uninsured, out of work people in are area as well as the country, and Ben is going to be making millions for what?
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