In what could be his final home game for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger threw for a touchdown as his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at Heinz Field.
In honour of his 18-year career, Roethlisberger, 39, stepped out alone to the coin toss in front of a sold-out crowd.
After the game, Roethlisberger stated, "I'm really thankful for these fans and this place; there's no place like it."
Roethlisberger, who has been with the team since 2004, added, "This is home."
In a win that kept the Steelers' slim playoff hopes alive, rookie Najee Harris ran for a career-high 188 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Boswell kicked four field goals.
TJ Watt also accounted for four of Pittsburgh's nine sacks, bringing his season total to 21.5.
Watt is currently one sack shy of Hall of Famer Michael Strahan's all-time record, which he established in 2001.
The Steelers gained 299 yards while the Browns were held to 232 yards by the Pittsburgh defence.
Roethlisberger went on to say: "I was born in Ohio, but I've always called this place home. These fans and this place have always meant a lot to me and my family." I've always thought they had the best fans in all of sports, and I'll continue to say that until I die.
"I don't know how I'll ever put into words seeing all the placards and jerseys and hearing everybody cheer for me going out of the tunnel." Thomas Tull, a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, paid honour to Roethlisberger's accomplishments by placing a full-page advertisement in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday.
Roethlisberger was also honoured for a "wonderful 18 years" by Steelers
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