Ben Roethlisberger’s Jersey Penalized at MAC Championship—20 Years After Final CFB Game
During Miami (OH) 23–14 upset win over Toledo in the 2023 MAC championship at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, college football fans were treated to a hilarious mistake from the head referee.
As the Redhawks (11–2) captured their first MAC title since 2019, a holding penalty was called on Miami’s No. 7. However, the jersey number, which was worn by two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger, was retired by the school back in 2007. No current Miami player wears the number.
The penalty amused those at the game who noticed the error.
The refs at the MAC Championship game just called a holding on Miami #7, which Miami's SID pointed out to us, is Ben Roethlisberger, a rerired number.
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) December 2, 2023
Fans on social media found it comical that a penalty could be called on the jersey held by a quarterback 20 years after his last collegiate game. Roethlisberger played for the school from 2000 to ’03.
Legends never die https://t.co/ufIqvIo9x2
— sosa wilt chamberlain+ (@BigBagSosa24) December 2, 2023
https://t.co/IfmKHKXVmZ pic.twitter.com/NzijkC5aeB
— Football & Fckery (@footballnfckery) December 2, 2023
Big Ben re-enrolling at Miami OH during the championship game. pic.twitter.com/NZfEpcBhFl
— Blake Elens (@blakeelens) December 2, 2023
Aveon Smith was named Offensive MVP of the game after guiding a balanced Redhawks attack. The sophomore quarterback threw for 109 yards while adding 99 rushing yards on the ground.