There are few relationships in sports that naturally breed a mutual fondness than that between the quarterback and his offensive linemen. It is the only relationship in sports in which one player, or group of players, is directly and primarily responsible for the literal protection of the other. Sure, running backs may occasionally buy some bling for their blockers, but quarterbacks are the sitting ducks in the pocket.
They’re the ones who get trips toe the lake house, and things like that. At least that’s what Ben Roethlisberger’s linemen get. And no lineman throughout his career had been through more with him than Ramon Foster, who at 34 years old retired last week after 11 seasons.