It’s finally official.

Go ahead, Browns fans. You can start the celebration.

My husband already did.

I sat forlornly on the couch Thursday, struggling to hear the solemn words of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement video playing on my cellphone. But even with the volume cranked up, I barely could hear it over my husband’s joyful singing.

“Hap-py days are here again! The skies above are clear again …”

You get the picture.

Yes, the quarterback who had the Browns’ number for the last 18 years is hanging up his cleats.

Later, after watching the two-minute video on Twitter, I scrolled down through some of the thousands of comments. There were many from noteworthy people wishing him well — Steeler teammates like Cam Heyward, Steeler hall of famers Rocky Bleier and Terry Bradshaw, former Steeler offensive coordinator and now Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, and even the Pittsburgh Pirates organization posted congratulatory messages. There was also a video posted from fellow 2004 draft-class QB Eli Manning and many other NFL players and retirees who have played both with Ben and against him.

Most of these folks were wishing Roethlisberger well, congratulating him and predicting upcoming HOF status in Canton.

As would be expected, there was a fair share of haters, too. Heck, it wouldn’t be social media without those.

But as I scrolled through the Twitter feed, what struck me most were posts from the fans — especially those younger than I who commented that they never have known the Steelers without Roethlisberger.

If it’s anything like the years leading up to Roethlisberger’s selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, the true colors of those fans just might be tested.

As for me, I’ve been a serious supporter of the black and gold since the early 1970s. Growing up in western Pennsylvania, I recall tuning in every Sunday with my dad before I even understood the game. As a preschooler, I recall thinking that the huddle was a required part of the game.

As I got older, I’d chew my fingernails down to the bones. The rivalry with the Browns especially was insanity. Back then, I disliked Browns QB Brian Sipe almost as much as the Browns fans dislike Big Ben. (Who’d have ever thought I’d end up moving to Ohio and marrying a Browns fan?)

My dad and I yelled at the TV, and my family laughed and poked fun as Dad lifted his legs, seemingly involuntarily, to mimic Franco Harris or Bleier running down the field, as if somehow he could help them dodge defenders or run faster.

Back then, of course, Terry Bradshaw was the man. So, when he retired, things got bleak for a while — a long while.

I recall those lean years when the Steelers were led by the likes of Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O’Donnell, Kordell “Slash” Stewart and Tommy Maddox at QB.

The impression those guys left on me was so weak that I had to refresh my memory on their names with the aid of Google just to write this column.

It wasn’t until Roethlisberger came along that fans started to believe we truly could be Super Bowl contenders again, and of course, we were — nearly every year since then.

Now, as Roethlisberger cleans out his locker, it’s hard to say he went out “at the top of his game.” He may not have found the fountain of youth that Buccaneers QB Tom Brady seems to have located, but he always found a way to get the job done.

While I’m nervous about the future, for now, frankly, I’m content.

I’m happy for the 18 very competitive years and two Super Bowl wins Roethlisberger brought us. I’m happy he was able to overcome and move on from dark days in his personal life earlier in his career, growing up, learning discipline and realizing the true priorities in his life. I’m happy for the send off he received from fans, teammates and the national media. Most of all, I’m just happy for Ben.

For sure, my husband and all his Browns fans friends are pretty happy right now, too.

Congratulations, Ben. Go Steelers.

blinert@tribtoday.com