Roethlisberger To Steelers Fans: Give Me A Chance
FULL INTERVIEW: Watch Bob Pompeani's One-On-One Interview With Ben Roethlisberger (6/7/10)
RELATED STORIES: Roethlisberger Reflects On His Struggles | Ben Hopes To Repair Reputation | QB Caught Up In 'Big Ben' Persona Reporting
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As Ben Roethlisberger tries to get his act together off the field, the Steelers quarterback is going to have to wait at least five games into the season before he can get back on the field.
One of the games he'll miss is a showdown with the Ravens.
KDKA's Bob Pompeani: How difficult will it be for you to sit back for four games and not be part of this?
Ben Roethlisberger: "It will kill me. It's one thing if you're hurt and not playing, 'cause even that's hard for me. I want to be out there no matter what; but not being hurt -- and I don't think I'll be allowed on the sideline -- watching it on TV, whatever it is, it'll kill me because I can't be out there with the guys and compete with them. Hopefully we don't lose any of them, but if we do, I'll feel guilty for it and if we win, I'll feel like I didn't contribute at all. It's gonna be real tough."
Bob: What do you expect when you come out of that tunnel and that introduction takes place?
Ben: "I don't know. I know what I hope. I hope it's like I always hear, I hope the cheers -- and maybe even louder because people are one, kind of excited to have me back, excited about the way I play the game and people want to forgive me. You know, give me a chance to get back out there and kind of win people back."
But before he can win football fans back, Roethlisberger knows he must first win people back, period.
His behavior off the field ravaged the reputation of the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback.
Regretful of his mistakes, Roethlisberger says he has turned to his family and his church for guidance.
"I grew up in the church and faith and religion has always been big," Roethlisberger told KDKA.
"I don't want people to think that all of a sudden because something happened to me that all of a sudden I found God; that's not even close to true. It's I came back to God. I just started to stray away. I wasn't going to church. I wasn't reading the bible or doing my devotions. Since this all happened, it was a wakeup call to come back to the church. It was God's way of coming to find me and bring me back to my faith, my religion, what I grew up in."
For the Steelers to grow into a playoff team again, Roethlisberger will have to be at his best -- especially after missing at least four games.
Though he knows it's going to be a tough assignment, especially considering the growth of this division, Roethlisberger says he and his teammates are united and keeping their eyes on the prize.
"Only time will tell but everyone in that locker room has the confidence," Roethlisberger added. "We're such a close group and everything that's happened with me and other players -- Santonio, whatever – that's not separating us. We're a close group. We're gonna stay tight and we know we have to play great football, especially with our division to win football games. And our goal is to get to the Super Bowl and win another trophy for this city."