Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s Journey To Success Despite His Parents’ Divorce At The Age Of Two!

April 4, 2026

This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on April 4, 2026

After his parents’ divorce in 1984, Ben Roethlisberger primarily lived with his father, Ken, while spending weekends with his mother, Ida, until her passing in 1990.

Ben Roethlisberger, aka “Big Ben,” is a retired professional football quarterback who played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.

He is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, leading the Steelers to two Super Bowl victories.

Recently, Roethlisberger has been in the news due to his comments about Aaron Rodgers, another prominent quarterback.

On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he speculated that Rodgers might be delaying signing with the Steelers and said:

I think Aaron [Rodgers] is secretly still holding out for Minnesota—which is why he hasn’t signed with the Steelers. Why else would you go throw with DK and working out, and blast it to everybody that ‘I’m throwing to these guys,’ but you ?

He also expressed confidence in Mason Rudolph, the Steelers’ current quarterback, as a viable option if Rodgers doesn’t join the team.

Ben Roethlisberger’s Parents, Ken And Ida, Were Accomplished Athletes During Their Youth!

Ben Roethlisberger was born to parents Kenneth Todd Roethlisberger and the late Ida Jane Foust.

Kenneth, often called Ken, was a talented athlete who played football and baseball at Georgia Tech.

He excelled in multiple sports and earned recognition as a three-sport star in high school.

“My dad is my hero…I am very lucky to grow up with the father I have.” — Ben.

— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7)

Moreover, he received a scholarship to Georgia Tech, where he played as a quarterback for the football team.

Later, he transitioned to being a pitcher for the Yellow Jackets’ baseball team. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his football career.

On the other hand, Ida was also an athlete, excelling in sports during her youth.

Ken and Ida met in Ohio during their youth, bonded by their shared love for sports. They married in Allen County, Ohio, on September 1, 1979.

The Roethlisberger Family in Detroit. (Source: )

However, their marriage ended in divorce on July 26, 1984, when Ben was just two years old.

After the divorce, Ben primarily lived with his father and stepmother, Brenda, but he spent weekends with his mother.

Later, Ida remarried to Daniel N. Protsman. Tragically, she passed away in a car accident on September 24, 1990, when Ben was just eight years old.

This loss deeply impacted him, and he honors her memory by pointing to the sky after touchdowns.

On the contrary, Ben’s stepmother, Brenda, is actively involved in community work.

She serves as the director of a ministry called “50 North” at Christ Church at Grove Farm.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Ben’s father, Ken, was inducted into the Elida High School Hall of Fame.
• Ben is married to Ashley Harlan, a physician assistant.
• Together, they have three children: Benjamin Todd Jr., born in 2012; Baylee Marie, born in 2014; and Bodie, born in 2016.

• Check other Articles on

Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.

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