Roethlisberger signs eight year deal with Steelers
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Pittsburgh Steelers rewarded Ben Roethlisberger for his 2007 Pro Bowl season by signing the quarterback to an eight-year contract on Monday.
Terms were not disclosed but local media reports said the deal was worth $102 million, a Steelers record.
"It was my 26th birthday yesterday and this was a great birthday present to know I'm going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for a long time," he told a news conference.
"I told them I didn't want to go anywhere else the day I walked in and that stays true."
Roethlisberger had the best season of his four-year career in 2007, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,154 yards and a team record 32 touchdown passes.
At the age of 23 he became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl when he led the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Roethlisberger was then injured in a motorcycle accident in 2006 and also had appendix surgery.
Although he played later that year his performances were erratic and the Steelers failed to reach the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
Roethlisberger regained his form last season. He played in his first Pro Bowl campaign and guided the Steelers to a 10-6 record and the AFC North Division crown.
The quarterback said he hoped to finish his career at Pittsburgh.
"All the questions I've been getting for the last month can hopefully come to an end," he said.
"We can put it behind us now and focus strictly on football and getting more rings and more championships for this organization."
(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Tony Jimenez)
