BREAKING NEWS: Netflix Releases “The Underdog,” a Highly Anticipated Documentary About Pittsburgh Steelers Star Ben Roethlisberger
May 4, 2025 — In a major announcement today, Netflix revealed the release of its newest sports documentary, “The Underdog,” a deep dive into the life and legacy of Pittsburgh Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger. The documentary is officially slated for global release on Friday, May 9, 2025.
“The Underdog” promises to offer an unfiltered, never-before-seen look at Roethlisberger’s rise from a small-town Ohio quarterback to one of the most successful and polarizing figures in NFL history. Known for his toughness, clutch performances, and two Super Bowl victories, Roethlisberger’s career spanned 18 seasons, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning him both praise and controversy along the way.
The documentary, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Harper and produced by NFL Films in partnership with Netflix Sports, includes exclusive interviews with Roethlisberger, former teammates like Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward, coaches including Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher, and rival players who battled him on the gridiron.
Netflix described the project as a “raw and revealing portrait of an athlete whose career was anything but predictable.” The film explores his early life, college years at Miami University (Ohio), his breakout rookie season, and his tumultuous personal life, including injuries, off-field incidents, and how he ultimately rebuilt his public image and redefined his legacy.
The streaming giant is banking on the success of “The Underdog” following the popularity of recent sports-focused hits like Quarterback, Beckham, and The Last Dance. Early reviewers who attended a private screening in Los Angeles last week called it “emotionally gripping” and “a must-watch for football fans and sports history buffs alike.”
Roethlisberger, who retired in 2022, said in a press statement, “I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell this story, but when I saw how deep the team was willing to go—both in the good and the bad—I knew it was time. This is for my family, my teammates, and the fans who stuck with me.”
“The Underdog” will premiere exclusively on Netflix on May 9, with an initial release in over 190 countries and subtitled in more than 20 languages. A limited theatrical release is also planned in select cities including Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and New York.
Fans of the Steelers, NFL enthusiasts, and documentary lovers alike are expected to flock to the film, which could become one of Netflix’s most-watched sports documentaries to date.