Ben Roethlisberger Speaks On The Growth That Defined His Steelers Career And Made Him Into A Better Teammate

The Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been eager to hear from Ben Roethlisberger after Joey Porter Sr. attempted to slander his legacy. Porter joined Cam Heyward on his podcast and quickly made his ill feelings about his former quarterback known. He called Roethlisberger a bad teammate and questioned his character as a human being. Those were fighting words, and years later it was still shocking for Steeler Nation to hear such comments made publicly.

The remarks spread quickly and caught many fans off guard, especially given the success and history tied to those Steelers teams. Hearing such harsh criticism about one of the most accomplished players in franchise history struck a nerve across the fan base. Many supporters were hopeful Roethlisberger would respond directly, particularly with the comments coming from a former teammate and in such an open forum.

Roethlisberger addressed the situation while speaking on his own podcast, Footbahlin, on Tuesday night. He chose to take the high road and did not directly comment on Porter’s harsh words. Instead, he spoke about the growth that shaped his career and how that evolution helped him become a better teammate and a better human being, a response that resonated strongly with many Steelers fans.

"I think as we grow and mature, again, I will say it's only through the grace of God, that we can look back and be like, 'Man, look how much I am changing,'" Roethlisberger said. "I am proud of that. Now I would like to think as we mature and as we grow in our faith, that it is less about me... I think as I have grown in my faith and with my family and everything, my needs come way down, and God goes number one, my family, my friends, and then me... I pray every single day for God to give me a soft heart, a Jesus heart."

Roethlisberger’s career got off to a hot start, as he quickly became a Super Bowl champion at just 23 years old. While success came early, it took time over the course of his career for him to truly grow as a leader and teammate. 

In his own words, that growth did not happen overnight and required personal reflection and accountability as he matured both on and off the field.

"I can't do it by myself," Roethlisberger said. "I have tried in the past to do it by myself and it can't be done. That is how I know it is the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus that he is the only one who can change me."

According to Roethlisberger, the most important step in that process was giving his life to Jesus Christ, whom he calls his Lord and Savior. Roethlisberger credits his faith with helping him change his mindset, priorities, and behavior, allowing him to better understand his role within the team and the responsibility that came with leadership.

Former Steelers Great Ben Roethlisberger Still Trying To Get Better Every Single Day

He believes that transformation played a major role in his evolution as a person and as a teammate. By embracing that change, Roethlisberger says he was able to grow beyond just being a talented quarterback and instead become someone who contributed positively to the locker room and those around him.

Roethlisberger’s response, or lack there of, served as a reminder that careers are defined not only by wins and losses, but by growth and accountability. While criticism may linger, his willingness to reflect and evolve continues to resonate with Steelers fans who value leadership, humility, and personal change as much as on-field success.

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