"Ben Roethlisberger's toughness is legendary, mythic even, embodying the industrial-strength spirit of blue-collar Pittsburgh. Gritty "Big Ben" doesn't go down easily in the pocket, and he doesn't come out of the lineup easily, either.

No matter the injury, the Steelers quarterback seems to gut it out, suck it up and play through it.

There he was during warm-ups on Monday Night Football, grimacing and gimping with each dropback and follow-through. He moved with the grace of a petrified Frankenstein. His right ankle appeared atrophied compared to his injured left ankle, which was encased in a brace."