It was the tweet seen around the world on Thursday morning, the one delivering the news that Steelers Nation knew was coming, but it still hit hard when they saw it.
Ben Roethlisberger shared a video on his Twitter account officially announcing his retirement, and the reactions poured in fill with love and support for the legendary Steelers quarterback who spent 18 seasons in the black and gold.
From current and former teammates, to opposing teams and players, to the sports world in general, to fans from every corner of the world, the congratulatory messages were a constant throughout the day, with #ThankYou7 trending.
A handful of the thousands of messages to Roethlisberger are below.
A message from Ben:@steelers #NFL #SteelersNation #ThankYou#HereWeGo #LoveAndHonor pic.twitter.com/pUbKGO1nUs
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) January 27, 2022
Statement from #Steelers President Art Rooney II on Ben Roethlisberger's retirement: pic.twitter.com/7qJB3eq433
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2022
Thanks for everything, 7. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/xSdWqCnE2Q
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) January 27, 2022
Legend. https://t.co/fVlzGKoozA
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) January 27, 2022
My guy 5L 🤞🏾 https://t.co/2te64Y5Nyk
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) January 27, 2022
Love and Appreciate you @_BigBen7! Was a pleasure having You as a teammate these past 5 years! Now Go Enjoy that beautiful family! You deserve it! HOF!!! https://t.co/OAgQNvcWhP
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) January 27, 2022
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) January 27, 2022
Thanks for the memories 7! pic.twitter.com/Lnt7pUfyd5
— Chris Wormley (@Chris_Wormley43) January 27, 2022
1st ballot. https://t.co/sSEPl3P5CK
— Tre Norwood (@trenorwood_3) January 27, 2022
— RayRay McCloud III (@RMIII_34) January 27, 2022
Definition of a true competitor! Thank you 7 🤟🏽 https://t.co/0GO1jzAk1H pic.twitter.com/ldUxhcVZyF
— John Leglue (@theJohnLeglue) January 27, 2022
For everything you've done for the organization, the city, and for the game. #ThankYou7 pic.twitter.com/a0AQWFVFUb
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 27, 2022
Congratulations on an amazing career @_BigBen7 and good luck in your next chapter. pic.twitter.com/loPuPCkN7U
— Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS) January 27, 2022
This the drive for me…@_BigBen7 put this together…appreciate the second Super-Bowl win…enjoy retirement…see you in CANTON… https://t.co/ELpLYIJUIX
— . (@Ike_SwagginU) January 27, 2022
My guy u went LEGEND out there bro!! I appreciate ya!! @steelers 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 https://t.co/fzkVHJTylY
— Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) January 27, 2022
Happy retirement Stud! @_BigBen7 #HereWeGo #steelers #champion pic.twitter.com/yAf3SZz0J5
— Willie Colon (@willcolon66) January 27, 2022
Legend! https://t.co/ux2tVv8lbS
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) January 27, 2022
Congratulations Brother! Helluva Run! https://t.co/36650vzATI
— Alan Faneca (@afan66) January 27, 2022
Job well done brother, you’ve earned your rest! #classof04 draft mate, locker mate, teammate, and brother, it’s been an absolute honor to block for you and celebrate moments with you! Enjoy the family and next stop is Canton #Classof2027 (on your tab, right?! Lol) https://t.co/w9yhvaa4Lq
— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) January 27, 2022
Looks like I know what ill be doing Aug 7th, 2027. Just put myself into @_BigBen7 calendar 😁😎. Such an HONOR! CONGRATULATIONS on one heck of a career! 👏👏👏 #RoadtoCanton pic.twitter.com/Rd1DOx9PpX
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) January 27, 2022
Congrats on an amazing career @_BigBen7 ! Now get some well deserved rest. You got some time before you have to write that HOF speech
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 27, 2022
1st Ballot #HOF ‼️‼️ Playing 7 years with 7 was so surreal! True Champion & Leader! #Respect
— Jordan Dangerfield (@Dangerfield__) January 27, 2022
7EGEND 🐐 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/yOltOKb2La
7’s little video got me right here… pic.twitter.com/aVrY9mGQ09
— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) January 27, 2022
can confirm that Ben’s retirement plans include a duck hunting trip with myself! but also congrats Ben! epic 2 years with you! @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/p4XeQT4vgO
— Devlin Hodges (@DevlinHodges10) January 27, 2022
Congratulations Ben Roethlisberger on an incredible career! I wish you the very best of luck on your next chapter--and it better include hunting with me my brother! https://t.co/so3PrR3R7O
— Merril Hoge (@merrilhoge) January 27, 2022
From competing against you to going to battle with you. It was always a honor to share the field with you. Congrats on a hall of fame career. Enjoy retirement and Thank You 7! pic.twitter.com/AeeAEjYbHF
— Arthur Moats (@dabody52) January 27, 2022
Ben- There are not enough words in a tweet to do you justice. You gave of yourself over and over again for the love of the game, the love of Pittsburgh,and the love of this Steelers team. There will never be another like you and I am looking forward to your future. -Rock
— Rocky Bleier (@RockyBleier) January 27, 2022
Next stop: Canton #ThankYou7 pic.twitter.com/pcxqNgb9tr
— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2022
2x Super Bowl Champion
— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2022
6x Pro Bowl selection
2004 OROY
And a @steelers legend for 18 years
Congrats on a legendary career, @_BigBen7. pic.twitter.com/WsbEQOKJlD
With the news of @_BigBen7's retirement today, he would first be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027.@steelers | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/vs75lltGUN
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 27, 2022
Good luck in your retirement, @_BigBen7! #BurghProud pic.twitter.com/AvZqqPZaAJ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 27, 2022
Congrats on a great career and good luck in retirement, @_BigBen7! pic.twitter.com/25rcvhajRm
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 27, 2022
Respect to an all-time rival 🤝 https://t.co/AneEhbVb3d
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 27, 2022
To the graduating Draft Class of '04#ThankYou7 | @EliManning pic.twitter.com/GUqFLTBXvD
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 27, 2022
Ben defied the TB12 Method in favor of the “Throw Some Ice On It” method his whole career, and ended up an all-time-great with 6 Pro-Bowls and 2 Super Bowls. There’s more than one way to bake a cake! https://t.co/ue36KXTHnk
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 27, 2022
Congrats On Retirement…MAC Legend🐐 @_BigBen7 pic.twitter.com/WOxopHOMOg
— MaddMaxx (@CrosbyMaxx) January 27, 2022
Gracias, Ben 👏
— NFL México (@nflmx) January 27, 2022
Ayudaste a que los @acereros obtuvieran 2 anillos de SB y tu legado en Pittsburgh vivirá por siempre, ¡nos vemos en Canton! 🔥🔝#NFLMX #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/WqdosIY1QY
From a rookie with an #NFL dream, to a two-time Super Bowl Champion.
— Super Bowl LVI on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 27, 2022
Congratulations, Ben Roethlisberger. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/AivMa2Jtr5
Ben Roethlisberger's 18 seasons are the most by any player without ever playing for a losing team (sub-.500 win pct) in NFL history
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 27, 2022
It helped that he led 53-game winning drives in his career ... only Peyton Manning had more in the Super Bowl era (54)
📸: Don Wright/AP pic.twitter.com/ZAMOPxLqEC
2x Super Bowl Champ
— NFL Legends (@NFLLegends) January 27, 2022
6x Pro Bowler
64,088 passing yards (5th most all-time)
418 touchdown passes (8th most all-time)
Future Hall of Famer.
Congrats @_BigBen7 on an unbelievable career, and welcome to the @NFL Legends Community! 👏 pic.twitter.com/vXqzwzvnNl
Another Class of 2004 Legend. Salute https://t.co/myeHAvRdmp
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) January 27, 2022
On behalf of our wish kids - from Pittsburgh to Portland - thank you, Big Ben, for 18 years of creating life-changing wishes. You've transformed so many lives, giving wish kids the same courage, resilience & strength you've shown on the field since 2004. @steelers @_BigBen7 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/nXk9Y7UXOa
— Make-A-Wish GPA & WV (@MakeAWishPAWV) January 27, 2022
Thank you #BenRoethlisberger for being an unbelievable champion, warrior, family man & thank you for rocking the steel city. You will forever be loved in the burgh. To you & your incredible family, much continued love & success. Yinz rock!🤘🏻#BigBen @_BigBen7 @Steelers pic.twitter.com/jMTlRaN6Fu
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) January 27, 2022
🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼 https://t.co/inLdNGW6fI
— 🅿️at McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 27, 2022
#ThankYou7
— Miami Football (@MiamiOHFootball) January 27, 2022
Love And Honor‼️#RiseUpRedHawks | 🎓🏆 https://t.co/0gu4H6lDwp
Love & Honor. ❤️🤍 https://t.co/MMGA3V8PEf
— #MACtion (@MACSports) January 27, 2022
Congratulations to Ben Roethlisberger on a First Ballot HOF Career. One of the toughest and most important players in #Steelers history.
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) January 27, 2022
