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05-03-2010, 03:13 AM

Harris: Roethlisberger follows Woods' lead

By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Ben Roethlisberger is taking a remedial course at the Tiger Woods School of Redemption.

Roethlisberger took baby steps Monday toward repairing his fractured public image and regaining the trust of the Steelers. It came in the form of a statement attributed to him in response to the conditional six-game suspension he received from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Similar to the prepared statement he read to the local media two weeks ago, Roethlisberger didn't say anything revealing or unexpected. In fact, this time Roethlisberger's statement spoke for him.

Roethlisberger saw what being humble and taking responsibility for his actions did for Woods, the golf icon whose marital indiscretions made a mockery of a saintly public image that led to him becoming the richest athlete in the world. However, Roethlisberger chose not to imitate Woods' more direct approach.

Roethlisberger is the first test case of a prominent athlete atoning for bad behavior since Woods.

Clearly, Roethlisberger and his advisers -- and perhaps even the Steelers -- decided that the less of Roethlisberger right now, the better.

Like Woods, Roethlisberger attempted to present himself as sincerely as one possibly can via a statement. But the fact that Roethlisberger didn't read those words muffled the desired impact.

Roethlisberger got decent mileage out of yesterday's statement. Unlike Woods, he didn't apologize for any wrongdoing, saying only that he has "fallen short of the values instilled in me by my family."

It was the first time during his two statements that he referred to his family, displaying a more personal side of himself.

The first step toward redemption for Roethlisberger is having an open mind and admitting his mistakes. He attempted to do that yesterday -- sort of.

Of course, for obvious legal reasons, Roethlisberger can't disclose details of what did -- or didn't -- happen last month in Georgia.

But he can accept responsibility for making bad decisions that have affected not only himself but an entire franchise.

The big difference between Roethlisberger and Woods is that Woods is an independent contractor solely responsible for his livelihood.

As the highest-paid player in Steelers history as well as the starting quarterback -- the most visible position in football -- Roethlisberger's reckless behavior damaged the entire team.

What allowed Woods' professional and personal life to finally return to some degree of normalcy was when he agreed to receive questions from reporters prior to competing in the Masters.

Vulnerability is another important step toward redemption.

Woods made himself vulnerable and gained respect because he let his guard down. Even though he didn't answer every question to everyone's satisfaction -- while avoiding certain questions altogether -- he won some fans back due to the way he humbled himself in a time of crisis.

It eventually will be necessary for Roethlisberger to host a similar no-holds-barred news conference.

Americans are suckers for giving second chances. Steelers fans, no matter how angry and repulsed they may be about what transpired between Roethlisberger and a 20-year-old college student, are willing to forgive and eventually forget.

Because Roethlisberger won't be able to rejoin team activities until the opening of training camp in July at the earliest, he will have to prepare for the upcoming season alone. However, some Steelers players want to make Roethlisberger feel like he's part of the team during his ban.

Cornerback Ike Taylor extended an invitation to Roethlisberger to join him for workouts with speed and conditioning coach Tom Shaw at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Also training in Florida with Taylor will be linebacker James Farrior, cornerbacks William Gay, Bryant McFadden and Keenan Lewis, wide receiver Mike Wallace, first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey and ex-Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

In an interview last week with the Tribune-Review, former Steelers tackle Marvel Smith said coach Mike Tomlin created a rift between Roethlisberger and his teammates when he and other coaches failed to point out in team meetings Roethlisberger's mistakes during games.

Tomlin should insist that Roethlisberger join his teammates in Florida.

Roethlisberger should embrace the invite.

Not only would Roethlisberger get an opportunity to display some much-needed leadership skills while training at a world-class facility, he could also bond with teammates he wouldn't otherwise be allowed to train with during his ban.

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