It’s only taken Ben Roethlisberger nine years to do what Terry Bradshaw did in 14.
But even though the environment makes it far easier to rack up passing yards than in Bradshaw’s era, Roethlisberger is still honored to be in the same conversation.
“It’s an awesome honor, you know?” Roethlisberger said, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Shoot, a storied franchise and he’s The Guy, the face of this. I know there’s a lot of ‘70s Steelers, but, when you’re talking about quarterbacks and offense and stuff, he’s the guy.
“To have an opportunity to break another record — and this one is a pretty big one.”
Roethlisberger needs 300 yards to pass Bradshaw’s team record of 27,989 passing yards. Against the Titans, 25th in the league in pass defense, there’s certainly a chance to do just that.
Of course, Bradshaw has a 4-2 advantage in the most important Steelers record — Super Bowl rings.
But as much as their names are linked, the two don’t have a good relationship. Bradshaw has been critical of Roethlisberger in his role as a Fox analyst, going as far as saying he’d get rid of him if he was the Steelers owner. Intermediaries have reportedly tried to get the two together, to no avail.
“We haven’t talked,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve never had an issue [with him]. He said a bunch of things in the past about me; it hurts a little bit when you think about family, but I’ve never been one to say anything to him or at him.”
Along those lines, Roethlisberger said he’s excited for Miami University quarterback Zac Dysert, who is 584 yards from breaking his own school passing record.
“I’m happy for him,” Roethlsiberger said. “Records are meant to be broken. I think that’s great. I’m excited for him to get that.
“I think that Terry’s excited, but I don’t know.”
Roethlisberger certainly deserves his share of the blame, but Bradshaw has the opportunity to be the bigger man here, and the hope is any tension that remains between the two can be set aside in the future.