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Big Ben is getting out of the game.

Today, after 18 years in the NFL, “Big” Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is retiring from pro football. Roethlisberger has become one of the most decorated players in the game with two Super Bowl victories and the number 5 slot on the all-time passing list, among numerous other achievements.

“I don’t know how to put into words what the game of football has meant to me, and what a blessing it has been,” Roethlisberger said in a Twitter post announcing his retirement. “But I know with confidence I have given my all to the game. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all it has given me.”

While this is the first time Roethlisberger has announced his retirement outright, he had been telegraphing his intent for the last several months. Following a postseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the month, he spoke as though he were already on his way out.

A message from Ben:@steelers #NFL #SteelersNation #ThankYou#HereWeGo #LoveAndHonor pic.twitter.com/pUbKGO1nUs

— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) January 27, 2022

“I’m just so thankful,” Roethlisberger said. “I hope that I’ve been able to pass the legacy of what it is to be a Steeler. From Dan Rooney. We all miss him. Anyone that knew him misses him. Hopefully I can pass some of that on to some of the guys and the tradition of what it means to be a Steeler can be passed down. … We’ve got some guys in there that will continue to do that. Gave Cam [Heyward] a big hug and told him it’s on him now. It’s his job to pass it down and to keep teaching and holding guys to the Pittsburgh standard.”