Soon, the suspension (six games or four games . . . or five games) of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will take effect. And Roethlisberger told Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the Steelers starter will stay in town, working out with quarterbacks coach George Whitfield Jr.
Whitfield isn’t employed by the Steelers; during the suspension, Roethlisberger will be barred from the facility and forbidden from working out with any players or coaches, whether at the team facility or, presumably, elsewhere. (We’re in the process of getting more information about the contours of the limitations that apply.)
Whitfield, who lives in California, has worked with Roethlisberger in the past. He also will be training with wide receivers who have been cut by other teams.
Roethlisberger also said he may do some high-school coaching on a voluntary basis.
He said he’ll watch every Steelers game during his suspension on television. “I will be so focused,” Roethlisberger said, “taking mental reps on every single play.”
Roethlisberger also explained to Brown that the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback has changed. “I’ve known from day one this is not going to be an overnight process,” Roethlisberger said. “You’re not going to win people back overnight. You’re not going to win all of them back period. I wish I could but it’s just not going to happen. But like I said my actions will speak volumes over the next days, weeks, months and years.”
If it works, it will be one of the great sports redemption stories of the past decade, if not longer. If it fails, he’ll be watching a lot more football on television in the future.