Ben Roethlisberger reveals history of addiction
Ben Roethlisberger cemented his name in Pittsburgh Steelers’ folklore long ago, leading the organization to two Super Bowls and reaching the Pro Bowl six times. However, despite all the success he has had on the field, he admitted over the weekend that he has had plenty of issues off it.
However, the quarterback is in a better place these days thanks to his faith and wants to help others as well. He spoke up on the weekend at an event entitled ManUp Pittsburgh put on by Urban Impact in conjunction with Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin. This year, it was held virtually.
In the virtual conference for Christian men, Roethlisberger discussed the issues he faced in recent years while offering his advice to others.
“It’s not always easy,” Roethlisberger said, via ESPN. “People don’t realize all the time that us athletes, we’re human. We sin like everybody else. I am no different. We make mistakes. We get addicted to things. We sin. We’re human. I think sometimes we get put on this pedestal where we can’t make mistakes. I’ve fallen as short as anybody. I’ve been addicted to alcohol. I’ve been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be.
“But you have to dedicate yourself and understand that you can get out of it because of the grace of God and him saying, ‘Listen, you’re good enough for me the way you are. You don’t have to be perfect.'”
Roethlisberger wasn’t always the most admired quarterback, despite his obvious talent. He had twice been accused of sexual assault in the past and was even suspended by the NFL in 2010 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
However, he got married in 2011 to his wife Ashley and the two of them now have three children together. Roethlisberger credits his faith and love for his family for helping the tide and get his life together off the field.
“Now more than ever, it’s cool to be a Christian, especially professional athletes,” Roethlisberger said. “One of the things I want to tell guys and tell people out there, I can be a really good athlete and a Christian. It’s not one or the other. I can do both. I want it to be known to all of the young men out there. It’s cool to be Christian and be an athlete. Go ahead and be the best athlete you can be and see if you can be a better Christian. And that’s what I’m trying to do now. I’m trying to be a better Christian than I am athlete and football player. I push myself every day to do that, and it starts here. It’s not always easy.”
The Steelers’ quarterback had a disappointing season in 2019, only managing to play two games before suffering an elbow injury that kept him on the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign. However, the quarterback says it was his faith that allowed him to keep going and not get into another dark place.
“I’m so thankful that this injury happened during my walk that I’m in now,” the 38-year-old signal-caller said. “I don’t know that I would’ve been able to handle it a few years ago, five, six, seven, 10 years ago. I know that my faith wouldn’t have been as strong. Now that I know what it’s about, it’s easy to say, ‘Hey, God, this is in your hands. I’m going to go train my butt off to get back out there, and whatever you have for me, I’m ready.'”
The 38-year-old was drafted 11th overall by the Steelers in the 2004 NFL draft and has spent his entire career playing for the franchise, featuring in a total of 239 regular season and playoff games.
