(Screenshot of Ben Roethlisberger sitting on the tunnel steps via CBS)
For some reason, Ben Roethlisberger went into the tunnel and sat on the steps close to the locker room after scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Titans. It was a really random moment. Even Jim Nantz said he had never seen anything like it during the CBS broadcast.
Roethlisberger was asked about the moment after the win over the Titans, and he pretty much deflected the question by making a joke. “I thought I broke the all-time Heinz rushing record, so I was just trying to take a moment to myself.”
With Roethlisberger not answering the question, he left it open-ended for people. Pat Freiermuth suffered a concussion on the touchdown drive, so he could have possibly been praying for Freiermuth. He could have also been praying for a win. This is all speculation, but I'd assume that Roethlisberger would have revealed that he was praying for Freiermuth if that was the case. I could be wrong, though.
Or perhaps Roethlisberger is coming to grips that his playing career is coming to an end. Which I believe is the most likely case. Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan tweeted on Monday, "I think Big Ben went down the tunnel to sit on the steps because he was emotional after scoring the QB sneak touchdown and didn't want the cameras to catch it. That would have led to speculation about his retirement. Big Ben is very media savvy."
It was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on Dec. 4, the day before the Ravens game at Heinz Field, that Roethlisberger has already privately told former teammates and some within the organization that he expects this to be his final season after 18 years with the Steelers. Roethlisberger was asked about the report after the win over the Ravens, and he didn't go out of his way to deny the speculations of his retirement.
And then there was the picture of Roethlisberger walking off the field after beating the Browns in Week 8 in Cleveland. A place where he's dominated in his career with a 12-2-1 record. Roethlisberger's facial expression said everything. He knows this is the last ride. It's going to be one emotional night when the Steelers face the Browns in Pittsburgh on Monday night in Week 17. Roethlisberger's likely final act at Heinz Field.