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Fans take a selfie as the Steelers warm up before taking on the Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
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‘Extremely bittersweet’: Some complicated emotions before Ben Roethlisberger’s (possible) final game

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

‘Extremely bittersweet’: Some complicated emotions before Ben Roethlisberger’s (possible) final game

BALTIMORE — The parking lots outside MT&T Stadium had a few more empty spots than normal for a January contest with the Steelers in town. More black and gold was spotted inside, too. Especially those with a gigantic No. 7 on the front and “ROETHLISBERGER” stitched on the back.

But while some ugly weather mixed with scant postseason chances for the two AFC North rivals might’ve dulled some excitement Sunday, the possibility — OK, likelihood — this could be Ben Roethlisberger’s final game was a popular topic of conversation.

“I’m happy because he’s not going to pull his ridiculous comebacks but also kinda sad,” said Kevin Green, 26, of Alexandria, Va. “I’ve never been to a Ravens-Steelers game when Ben wasn’t their quarterback.

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“He’s a very clear … I can direct my anger at that guy.”

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gets a pass off against the Ravens in the fourth quarter, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium.
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Green, however, was not actually mad. More than anything, he has a ton of respect for Roethlisberger, which was a similar opinion expressed by Ravens fans.

Throughout the history of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, there have been plenty of impactful players. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and more. Mike Knell of Perryville, Md., who has been a Ravens fan since they moved here in 1996 and who tailgates outside of Gate D five hours before every home game, would absolutely throw Roethlisberger into that mix.

“He’s always been a killer nemesis for us, but he’s had a great career,” Knell said. “It’s tough to get to him. He gets rid of the ball before he gets sacked for a loss. For that reason, we’re glad he’s not gonna be around.”

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The Steelers-Ravens rivalry, considered by many the NFL’s best and certainly among its fiercest, has what seems like a never-ending reel of highlight plays. One of those, of course, was defensive tackle Haloti Ngata breaking Roethlisberger’s nose back in December 2010.

Roethlisberger joked that it took the pain away from his sprained right foot. Meanwhile, in Ravens land, the toughness earned him some points from even the most ardent Ravens fans.

“We broke his nose, and he still beat us,” said Mark Emory of Bethesda, Md., referencing the Steelers’ 13-10 win at MT&T Bank Stadium. “I respect the hell out of him.”

So does Mark’s wife Patty, who told a story of their daughter wearing an Ed Reed jersey while attending Duquesne University and getting free Starbucks because the barista respected her passion.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass against the Ravens in the first quarter, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium.
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“If Tom Brady would’ve been hit as hard as we’ve hit Ben, he would have retired 10 years ago,” Patty said. “Ben plays the game the right way.”

Roethlisberger’s toughness mixed with the back-and-forth nature of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry has certainly created an interesting dynamic on this final Sunday of the NFL schedule.

On one hand, fans of both teams seem fully aware that it might take some divine intervention for either’s season to continue. Meanwhile, the Ravens are banged up, and the Steelers have plenty to celebrate with Roethlisberger seemingly about to call it a career.

“We’re hoping for a good game today,” said Diane Little, who was tailgating with Knell, a longtime friend. “lt’s always a good game between the Ravens and the Steelers, regardless of records. It’s a good rivalry.”

Raymond Christas, a 20-year-old York, Pa. native who plays football at East Stroudsburg, has another wish. He joked that he wanted to see Roethlisberger nose broken again “to send him off on the right foot.” Christas followed up by saying how much respect he has for the Steelers quarterback.

“He’s a Hall of Famer, no doubt,” Christas said. “It’s also nice he’s gonna be out of our way.”

Ben Evans, who’s actually a Steelers fan living in Baltimore (Roland Park), said he’s ready for the transition that awaits this offseason, to a different quarterback and a revamped offensive approach.

But first, Evans — who grew up in Memphis, Tenn., became a Steelers fan in the 1970s and moved here about 15 years ago, wanted to bring his 11-year-old son, Henry, to catch one last glimpse of Ben.

“He’s been a great Steeler for almost two decades,” Evans said of Roethlisberger. “It’s hard to replace a guy like that, but eventually you have to.”

Most emblematic of the pregame excitement might’ve been Dr. Rob Smith and Maureen Kersey, another group of longtime friends here tailgating. Kersey actually grew up on Long Island but became a Steelers fan around 20 years ago because he son became hooked on them in third grade.

Dr. Smith, meanwhile, is an orthopedic surgeon who did his fellowship with the Ravens.

As raindrops began to fall — something that should continue into the game — Smith and Kersey laughed about the respect between organizations, even though there have been some bitter times. A terrific rivalry with Roethlisberger at the center of it all.

“Even if they were both 0-16, you know this will be a great game, with players playing their guts out,” said Dr. Smith, sporting a Ray Lewis jersey.

And if the Steelers lose, well, it’s probably it for Roethlisberger, the end of an 18-year career that will almost assuredly take the Findlay, Ohio native direct to the Hall of Fame in Canton. An incredible run of success that has been built on this rivalry and plenty of emotional games against the Ravens.

“Extremely bittersweet” said Kersey, wearing a Ben jersey. “The fact that he has been with the same franchise for 18 years is phenomenal. You don’t see that very much. I know Ben hasn’t always been perfect, but he’s been perfect for us.”

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published: January 9, 2022, 5:34 p.m.

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