Bill Cowher: Ben Roethlisberger 'thriving' on proving doubters wrong

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger remarked this spring he was "motivated" knowing some observers and fans were doubting his ability to lead the club to a third Super Bowl title during his career coming off a home playoff loss to the rival Cleveland Browns in January and heading into what many believe will be his final NFL season. 

Former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher echoed such comments when speaking about Roethlisberger during a Tuesday media session for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

"He is a great competitor," Cowher said of Big Ben, per Nick Shook of the league's website. "I'm sure he's just thriving right now with the fact everyone thinks that he's done, the Steelers are done. I used to always say to people, I'd say the greatest thing in sports is to do something nobody thinks you can do. It's one of the greatest accomplishments. And I think right now Ben is just thriving on that. He can't wait to get out there, probably (champing) at the bit to prove (it).

"I would be very surprised if he didn't have a great year this year. It's a tough division. He's a Hall of Fame player, first ballot, no question about it. He's won two Super Bowls and been to three, yet he continues to play the game with a great passion, a great competitor, and I think you'll see that this year."

A report first surfaced Monday that the 39-year-old star signal-caller is currently "obsessed" with workouts and eating right, so much so that Roethlisberger's diet is said to be "stricter" than the one famously followed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter and seven-time champion Tom Brady. 

Perhaps a little "TB12" could help Roethlisberger and company win what's become an elusive third title before he rides off into the sunset.