Roethlisberger Talks Kids, Rivalries & Remaining A Leader
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Steelers are hard at work during training camp in Latrobe.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is ready to go this season and talked to KDKA-TV's Bob Pompeani about how being a father of three changed his offseason workout routine.
"Just a lot of cardio, running and chasing kids. As you know, chasing kids will burn some calories," Roethlisberger said.
In addition to the cardio, the three kids keep him busy at home.
"Awesome. Crazy, hectic. There's a lot of words that can be used. But most importantly, it's a lot of fun," Roethlisberger said. "We travel a lot. Taking the kids with us when we travel isn't always easy, but we want them to experience a lot of fun places."
Steelers Nation is vast, which means it's hard for Roethlisberger to not get noticed when he goes out, even with the family. While Roethlisberger's children don't quite know just how famous he is, they take it all in stride.
"Because we go places and people ask for autographs and pictures. My son, who's the oldest one, just, is like, it's nothing to him. I don't think he quite comprehends yet, what it's about," Roethlisberger said.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
On the field, Roethlisberger is the leader of the offense. His teammates listen when he speaks, but is it the same at home?
Pompeani: Are you the disciplinarian or--
Roethlisberger: Yes. I am. Absolutely.
Pompeani: Really?
Roethlisberger: Yeah. Not saying she isn't but, I'm the one that lays the law.
Pompeani: They listen?
Roethlisberger: About 95 percent of the time.
Roethlisberger is entering his 13th year in the NFL. Eventually, he'll make a decision about retirement, but that's not coming any time soon.
"I feel great. I joke, but it's kind of serious, that it's either Mr. Rooney or the Good Lord is gonna tell me I'm done," Roethlisberger said. "I feel now that I won't play past when I can't play. I'm not gonna force the team to make a decision. But, if I feel healthy I'm gonna do it. I hate looking forward to the end because I feel like I'm cheating the here-and-now.In this game, we all know, you're one play away from being done. I don't want to cheat the fans, my teammates, from now and here, this next practice, this next game to think about, 'Oh I'm gonna be done in four or five years.' I'm gonna let it play out and see what happens."
While the team is preparing to embark on a quest to bring a seventh Super Bowl title to Pittsburgh, they might have to do it without the services of Le'Veon Bell for four games.
Regardless of whether or not Bell is suspended, Roethlisberger is confident that DeAngelo Williams can step up and deliver.
""I don't even know if it's official, what's happened, so for me to talk about it, it's a moot point, because we don't know yet. We hope he's out there. To me, [Bell's] the best all-around back in the game. If he can't be out there, we are confident in DeAngelo. We know what he can do, he did it last year. And we all need to step up whether he's out there or not out there. We need to be the best we can be."
Ben shakes his head when Martavis Bryant is brought up.
BOB: When you found out that he was out again, that's a big weapon to be lost, what was your reaction?
BEN: Hurt. Disappointed. Because he was a brother. Everybody on this team is a brother. And I just felt let down that he wasn't always honest with me. I was checking on him and always asking how he's doing. I checked in with him every single day when he wasn't here the first time around. And I just felt like we had a great relationship and I'm just disappointed that it happened. I had asked him over and over--checkin' on him--and just felt that he wasn't honest with me all the time.
Asked if that is a relationship that can be mended, Roethlisberger says "absolutely."
"It's something that, in my opinion, he needs to reach out to me. I've done a lot for him, and I know it may sound bad that I'm not reaching out to him, but I've done it a lot. And all I need is that call from him. I still love him to death and will still be there for him, still support him and do everything I can for him. But he's getting himself right for and that's the most important.
After last season, Pittsburgh is certainly not feeling warm and fuzzy towards the Cincinnati Bengals. Have they become the new Ravens?
"When I first got here, that Ravens rivalry, everybody talked about it...because it was physical. Everyone wanted to watch the hits and the hard-nosed football. The Bengals game has gotten to that, but I don't want it to turn into a dirty game. People want to see that game, tune into it because it's gonna be physical, gonna be a good game. But not at the risk of it being a dirty football game. Not that it's there, but it's teetering on the edge of it being unnecessary roughness type game, compared to a good physical football game."