PITTSBURGH -- Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a smile on his face as he met the media today for the first time since being reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The two-time Super Bowl winner still faces a 4-6 game suspension at the start of the regular season. He was disciplined by Goodell April 21 under the league's personal conduct policy. After ducking the media for two days, he said he was happy to be back with his "brothers" and intent on a making a lifestyle correction.
"I know you guys have been waiting for a long time to talk to me, as I have to you," Roethlisberger told a swarm of reporters who crowded around him on the practice field.
"It's been a long time away. It's been hard. But I spent a lot of time and effort and working hard both on and off the field while I've been gone. It's not the same. I love football to death. But I think it's meant more to be out here with my teammates, my brothers, my family, if you will."
Goodell imposed his discipline in the aftermath of a sexual assault complaint filed March 5 against Roethlisberger by a 20-year-old college student in Milledgeville, Ga.
Georgia authorities decided not to file criminal charges in the case. But Roethlisberger was disciplined under the NFL's personal conduct policy and required to under behavioral analysis by medical professionals and follow what the league describes only as a "recommended plan" as a requirement of eventual reinstatement.
Goodell has yet to rule on whether the suspension will be trimmed to four games. He's left open the possibility it could be lengthened if Roethlisberger does not adhere to the plan.
"I put a lot of thought into my life, the decisions that I've made in the past … sitting home thinking about things," said Roethlisberger, slimmed down from past off-seasons.
"I've been working closely with the commissioners on ways to make changes, corrections. So I'm looking forward to this second chance and second opportunity, not just in football because I think everyone knows what you're going to get in football, but in life. I think that's what's more important."
The sexual assault complaint was filed on a night when Roethlisberger and a group of friends were bar-hopping in Milledgeville a few days removed from Roethlisberger's 28th birthday. The complaint filed by the 20-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by Roethlisberger in a small bathroom at a Milledgeville night club. Georgia authorities said there was insufficient evidence, including DNA evidence, to prosecute a rape charge in the case.
After making an initial statement today, Roethlisberger took just a couple of questions from the media.
He was initially asked about the support of his teammates.
"It's been great to read and hear from those guys, not just text messages and calls that they've send to me, tto read the things in the media that they said. … It's great to be out here with my brothers because they really are family to me," he said.
"I've spent a lot of time evaluating and looking at my life both on and off the field, and I think this is a time for me to kind of close the chapter on the last couple of years of my life and move on to a new one, kind of a new start. So I'm really excited about it.''
What specifically is he looking to change?
"A lot of them are personal things, which is just something I need to do. But it's been neat being able to really reevaluate my life and spend time with my family and kind of reevaluate and refigure what's important in life,'' he said.
"And that's me … evaluating what I need to do and be smarter when it comes to certain things. … It's a new chapter, and I'm looking forward to it, and it starts with football. So I'm glad to be back out there."
A member of the Steelers media relations staff ended the session after two questions.
"I'll be talking to you guys a lot more," said Roethlisberger.
He'll also be meeting for a second time with Goodell. In a press release last week, the e NFL said the commissioner continues to "monitor Roethlisberger's progress" and will meet withy him at the "appropriate time." Roethlisberger also met with Goodell prior to the suspension.
-- Gary Mihoces
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Originally Posted by RuthlessBurgher
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