Ben Roethlisberger Graduates From Miami University in Southwest Ohio

When Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left for the NFL in 2003 he had not yet earned his degree from Miami University in southwest Ohio, now nine years after the fact the NFL star has managed to finish the required classes needed to pick up his diploma.

The 30-year-old Roethlisberger received his bachelor’s degree in education on Sunday with nearly 600 students who attended Sunday’s commencement at the Oxford campus.

In attendance for the special day was Ben Roethlisberger’s parents, grandmother and his wife.

Completing his degree required Big Ben to complete four missing courses which he tackled over several years before completing his final class this spring.

While the quarterback has received lucrative contracts and endorsements worth millions of dollars he recently revealed that completing his education was important as a role model, illustrating the value of receiving a higher education to his fans.

Before the commencement ceremony Ben Roethlisberger said of his mindset:

“I’m going to be sitting there thinking, ‘When I was in college, this person (next to him) was probably in middle school. I’m going to be the old man out there, but it’s worth it.’ “

The future NFL hall of fame MVP also noted that graduating was never a question for him because his family has always put a high value on secondary schooling.

Ben Roethlisberger isn’t the only sports star to receive his higher degree, last week former NBA star Shaquille O’Neil completed a PhD program.

Are you impressed with Big Ben’s decision to go back and complete his college degree in education?