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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Curt Popejoy

Will the ‘Steeler Way’ be gone when Ben Roethlisberger retires?

When the clock ticked down to zero last week in Kansas City, an era ended for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It marked the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers would have Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. But it might mean something much bigger for the franchise going forward.

After the game, defensive tackle Cam Heyward said Roethlisberger hugged him and told him he was passing it on to him to carry on the “Steeler Way” as it were.

But is that possible? This team has steadily drifted away from what it has traditionally meant to be a Steelers over the last six to eight seasons. Egos in the locker room and outside the locker room have eroded that team-first concept you hear former legends like Troy Polamalu talk about.

Can Heyward hold this team together during the rebuild? Or more importantly, will this rebuild undo decades of culture and tradition?

Let us and the community know in the comments below if you think the Roethlisberger retirement marks the end of the Steeler Way?

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