Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's Noted Admission Of Hardest Hit Has Led Ravens' Bart Scott To Feel 'Immortalized'

Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was known and respected for his incredible toughness. One of the things that helped him take Pittsburgh to three Super Bowls was that it was a challenge for defenders to bring down a 6'5", 240 lb. man of steel. Roethlisberger didn't go down easy and had a way of staying on his feet to make a play.

However, Roethlisberger also took his share of shots while playing. You don't last 18 seasons in the NFL and not get rocked at least a few times. On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger last year, he shared the hardest hit he ever took. Unsurprisingly, it came from the Baltimore Ravens and star linebacker Bart Scott. Roethlisberger said that running back Willie Parker was supposed to go right to pick him up, but he went left, and Scott went uncovered. Seemingly out of nowhere, he drilled Roethlisberger in the chest, driving him to the ground. 

Now Scott is taking a turn, sharing the story from his side in Baltimore Ravens Untold Stories: Bart Scott Delivers Hardest Hit of Ben Roethlisberger's Career. In the video, Scott is shown the clip of Roethlisberger saying it was the hardest hit he had ever taken. Scott has his young son with him, telling him how Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls, was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and that he hated him as a rival. He smiles when Roethlisberger says he was hit so hard, he wasn't sure if he was alive. 

"You guys still show it? Oh, thank you so much. I feel like Highlander now. I'm immortalized," chuckles Scott.

Scott said it was when Rex Ryan was the Ravens' defensive coordinator, and they used something he called "organized chaos." Scott added that as a defender, you always look for a guy who didn't study and that day, it was Parker. Otherwise, it wouldn't have worked. Scott said the Steelers really did have it picked up if Parker had just run in the right direction. 

Scott shared that he watched Roethlisberger and couldn't believe he was facing him with his chest wide open, apparently oblivious to the defender closing in. He watched Roethlisberger's movements and saw he was going to try to make a play down the field, and he knew he had him.  

"All I can see was that chest. And that number. And better yet that chin, got a chin like Jay Leno. I couldn't wait to go knock that smile out his smug face. Nobody has taken more from the Ravens than Ben Roethlisberger and it was our time to get some get back."

He goes on to say that Roethlisberger actually got lucky that day. Scott said he changed his mind in mid-flight about how he was going to hit him and likely saved Roethlisberger a potentially serious injury. 

"I remembered that I had respect, had hatred, but I had respect for the Steelers. I respect the fact that they were like men, that they were willing to stand toe-to-toe and they were built in our image. So at the last second, I came to my senses. Instead of putting my face mask into his sternum, I slid it to the left side of his shoulder pad so I wouldn't break his ribs or crush his sternum."

Scott added the best part was watching Roethlisberger squirm around on the ground after the sack. He said his whole team went wild, congratulating him and each other. It was like they all made the play, they were so happy to see this player that had given them so much trouble vulnerable. 

As for hearing that it was Roethlisberger's hardest hit? Scott knows he is in fine company, considering Roethlisberger once played a game with a broken nose from another Ravens defender, Haloti Ngata. While he might not be the biggest or the strongest, Scott said he is proud that the Ravens watch that film back and know he was the one who "decapitated him and took his soul."

Steelers-Ravens Rivalry Steeped In Respect

The other AFC North teams don't get a pass. The Steelers hate the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals as much as they hate the Ravens. But there is something about the Steelers-Ravens rivalry that feels different. 

It could be because both teams have managed to stay relevant and have had a shot at the playoffs nearly every season since the Ravens were established in 1996. Maybe it is that the Ravens are like a double rival, since this new team was formed when Art Modell moved his Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore. While this rivalry might not be as old as the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers one, it is just as intense. 

The Steelers lead the series all-time, 35-25, but the games are always close nail-biters. Both teams always seem to have incredibly tough defenses, and they spend these close games playing old-school smashmouth football. 

The respect the two team's players and fans have for each other is real. It is why, each season, everyone circles those two games on their calendars, and 2024 will be no exception.

Do you remember when Scott hit Roethlisberger? Click to