DETROIT — Ben Roethlisberger set two Super Bowl records.

He should be proud of one. The other, he can forget.

The 23-year-old Roethlisberger became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh's 21-10 victory over Seattle on Sunday.

"It feels amazing," he said.

In the process, his 22.6 passer rating was the worst for a winning QB in Super Bowl history.

"His stats might not have been great, but he's a champion and that's all that matters," tight end Heath Miller said.

Roethlisberger was overcome by emotion after conducting interviews and hugging family and friends from his hometown of Findlay, Ohio.

He plopped down in front of his locker and put his fingers on the bill of a Super Bowl cap. He took off his left wristband — filled with plays — held it, rubbed it and smiled. He removed his right wristband and caressed it.

Then, he sobbed.

Teammate Larry Foote interrupted Roethlisberger's moment.

"You're a champion, baby," Foote told him as they embraced in front of his locker. "You made this happen. Without you, we wouldn't be here."

The Steelers won their fifth title with a true team, but they were quick to point to their quarterback for helping them win eight straight after starting 7-5.

Roethlisberger played the biggest game of his career at Ford Field where he made his professional debut in an exhibition game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 14, 2004. Just 45 miles away in Michigan Stadium, he played his first college game for Miami of Ohio.

While Roethlisberger helped the Steelers knock off Denver, Indianapolis and Cincinnati in the AFC playoffs with strong performances, they beat the Seahawks despite his lackluster game.

He was picked off on an up-for-grabs heave and a short-armed lob, throwing twice as many interceptions as he did the rest of the playoffs. He finished 9-of-21 for 123 yards and ran for a touchdown.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said at halftime he needed Roethlisberger to calm down, and he did for the most part.

Roethlisberger just might've been too cool as he tried to float a touch pass to Cedrick Wilson. His attempt was picked off by Kelly Herndon and returned a Super Bowl-record 76 yards in the third quarter.

"That was one where my mind was telling me to throw it over the top and my arm didn't," he said. "I read it right. I just didn't throw it good."

That miscue set up Seattle's lone touchdown, which cut its deficit to 14-10.

Early in the second quarter, his ill-advised pass was intercepted by Michael Boulware.

But Roethlisberger made enough plays to help his team win, he just wasn't as spectacular as he was in postseason victories at Indianapolis and Denver when he was 40-of-53 for 472 yards with four TDs and only one interception. He didn't throw an interception against Cincinnati in an efficient outing.

With quick feet for a 6-foot-5, 241-pound quarterback, Roethlisberger turned sacks into short gains and made one of the key plays of the game in the first quarter against Seattle.

He dropped back, stepped up in the pocket, rolled left and waited just long enough for Hines Ward to get open for a cross-field, 37-yard pass on a third-and-28.

"We practice that," Wards said. "He gave me a chance to make a play."

Three snaps later, Roethlisberger scored on a play-action run behind Jerome Bettis as he tucked the ball tightly under his right arm and just got it to the goal line on a play that was reviewed.

"I told him to just follow me," Bettis said.