The 6-foot-5 quarterback looked pedestrian for much of the game. But that's not what will be remembered about Roethlisberger 50 years from now. Like so many other great quarterbacks who have won on the NFL's grandest stage, Big Ben cemented his status as a comeback kid.
McNabb, of course, has a far different reputation at crunch time.
"It's now or never," Roethlisberger told his teammates before the final drive.
With a major assist from third-year receiver Santonio Holmes, Roethlisberger made sure now won out over never, which triggered more debate about McNabb and the Eagles back in Philadelphia.
Given a remarkably similar situation two weeks earlier at University of Phoenix Stadium, McNabb and the Eagles couldn't complete what would have been one of the most remarkable come-from-behind wins in franchise history.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers got the ball at their 22-yard line with 2 minutes, 30 seconds left while down by three points. McNabb and the Eagles were down by seven when they got the ball at their 20 with 2:53 remaining in the NFC championship game.
The Steelers' fifth-year quarterback completed six of eight passes for 88 yards on the game-winning drive. The most crucial completion of the drive, and perhaps Roethlisberger's signature moment, was his first completion.
After a holding penalty had pushed the Steelers back to their 12-yard line and created first and 20, Pittsburgh was in danger of losing after having squandered a 13-point advantage, the biggest in Super Bowl history to disappear, in the fourth quarter.
Roethlisberger immediately eased some of the pressure with the 14-yard completion to Nate Washington on the next play, and it was all about his ability to escape a collapsing pocket, step up, and make a strong throw.
