PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field on November 10, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger opened up about his past addictions, which include alcohol and pornography.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger surprised many on Tuesday with his frank admission to past flaws at ManUp conference in Pittsburgh. Big Ben was a guest speaker at the event, which is aimed at improving men’s faith and role as a father and husband in the household.
The 38-year-old’s private life has remained a mystery for years after he was accused of sexual assault twice a decade ago. Since then, Roethlisberger has preached his faith and family life, and he is now married with three children.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger owned up to his past demons, including addiction, on Tuesday.
“I’ve fallen as short as anybody,” Roethlisberger said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “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.”
Roethlisberger’s admissions will ring hollow to those who judged him long ago due to the accusations against the two-time Super Bowl winner. His private life was brought back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons once again several years ago, when he was mentioned in Stormy Daniels’ book about President Donald Trump, with Daniels claiming she was scared of Big Ben.
Roethlisberger cites his reliance on religion as a turning point for him, personally. His message, should it be believed, does help propel the point of the ManUp conference forward.
“I’m trying to be a better Christian than I am an athlete at football,” Roethlisberger said. “I push myself every day to do that. It starts here. It’s not always easy. People don’t realize all the time that us athletes, we’re human. We sin like everyone else. We make mistakes. We get addicted to things. We sin.”
Roethlisberger admitted he got away from religion in college, which shouldn’t be cited as any sort of excuse for his actions, but perhaps speaks to the person he aims to be today.