ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 11: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Ben Roethlisberger was heartbroken for Maurkice Pouncey after Pittsburgh’s loss.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went from an 11-0 juggernaut to losing at home in the first round of the playoffs, as the Cleveland Browns handed the Steelers their fifth loss in six games by bludgeoning Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin.
Maurkice Pouncey and company were let down by Tomlin and the coaching staff, and that sad fact really cut Big Ben deep.
A dejected Roethlisberger was completely disgusted with his inability to get Pouncey to the Super Bowl, claiming that he feels more upset after the 48-37 drubbing at the hands of Baker Mayfield for Pouncey than he does for himself.
Maurkice Pouncey might end up retiring after this loss
While Roethlisberger will end up in Canton after setting innumerable franchise records and winning two championships, a Super Bowl ring, a championship is the only thing missing from Pouncey’s resume. Pouncey has made the Pro Bowl nine times in his 10-year career, and the only year he didn’t was a season in which he only played one game.
Pouncey looked ready to finally get his first ring after such a dominant start to the season, but the offense’s inability to run the football and the defense’s sudden bad habit of allowing big plays in the passing game ultimately sunk Pittsburgh, leaving Pouncey at home when the Super Bowl rolls around.
It’s impossible to tell the story of the last decade of football in Pittsburgh without Pounce getting a huge chunk of the credit for their success. While Pouncey might end up in the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done, Roethlisberger knew that he was eyeing a championship more than any individual honor. His failure to come through for them against a hated division rival clearly hurt him.