EXCLUSIVE: Big Ben Opens Up About Family Life, Upcoming Football Season
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Marriage and fatherhood seem to be suiting Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger just fine.
That's one of the topics Roethlisberger talked about with KDKA sports anchor Bob Pompeani in an exclusive and wide-ranging interview at Steelers headquarters on the South Side.
RAW INTERVIEW:
Roethlisberger says he's always worked hard to live up to fan expectations on the field, but he's learning that the expectations of being a father are sometimes even more challenging.
Becoming more patient was one of the skills he says he had to polish.
"As you get older you naturally have to have patience. You have to have patience with kids. My son wants to put the shoes one himself. It might take a little longer than when I put them on, but you sit there and you watch and learn," Roethlisberger shared.
He told Bob having children, son Benjamin Jr. and daughter Baylee, has made him a better leader when it comes to his on-the-field colleagues.
"Just like my son is learning new things, they're learning new things, they're learning new plays, learning how to get open in certain coverages, so they might make the mistake two or three times, but you have to be patient with them," he said.
Turning to football, Roethlisberger admitted it could be a tough season ahead with this year's Steeler schedule rated one of the toughest in the NFL.
"We could be a better football team and have a worse record," than last season said Roethlisberger. "Does that make us more battle tested if we make the playoffs? Do we fold because we're not tough enough? I don't think so, because I think we have a good group. It's all there for us. The pieces are there. We just have to put it together, play together as a team and stay healthy."
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