JOHNSTOWN — The National Football League can't host in-person offseason workout programs because of COVID-19.
So, WJAC-TV decided to take a look back at the Pittsburgh Steelers' May 2004 mini camp--the first practices for rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Earlier in the spring, the Steelers selected Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
He came to Pittsburgh as a bright-eyed rookie. After the team's first practice, Roethlisberger told reporters he had to deal with nerves.
"My legs were a little shaky," Roethlisberger said. "My arms were a little weak, but I'm ready to go, now."
No kidding.
Roethlisberger took over the starting quarterback job in the third week of the 2004 regular season. He won his first 13 starts, including back-to-back victories against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and the then-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.
The Steelers finished the regular season with a 15-1 record, and clinched the AFC's top seed in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh beat the New York Jets, 20-17, in the AFC Divisional round. But, the Steelers fell to the future Super Bowl champion Patriots, 41-27, in the AFC Championship game.
Roethlisberger and the Steelers used that loss as motivation for the 2005 season. They beat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, in Super Bowl XL.
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