Ben Roethlisberger admits to addictions to alcohol and pornography

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming off shoulder surgery but that’s not the only battle he’s waging with his body.

Big Ben played just 2 games in 2019 before requiring shoulder surgery.

Roethlisberger said this week, “I think sometimes we get put on this pedestal where we can't make mistakes. I've fallen as short as anybody. 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.”

Big Ben is not known for a clean image. He has been accused of sexual assault twice during his pro career and was suspended 6 games in 2010 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. But it was still surprising for the Super Bowl-winning QB to admit some of what he’s gone through.

Roethlisberger has turned to Christianity in his war to beat his addictions and also to help him recover from his serious surgery:

“Hey, God, this is in your hands,” he says. “I'm going to go train my butt off to get back out there, and whatever you have for me, I'm ready.”

The truth is not even God is likely to bring Ben or his Steelers teammates back to contention. Ben is 38 years old and the 2019 Steelers were outscored throughout the season. Last season, the Steelers offense averaged 18 points per game, their lowest mark since 1998.

Jeremy Garrison is the co-founder of Popline Media. Listen to him every week on The Sports Hangover podcast.