Bires: It's time to get over hating Ben

[mesaSteeler]

Bires: It's time to get over hating Ben
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sp...ating-ben.html
By: Mike Bires
Beaver County Times

Tuesday October 5, 2010 11:57 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, right, talks with wide receiver Mike Wallace during his first practice back after a four-game suspension at the NFL football team's practice facility in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

PITTSBURGH — From all indications, Ben Roethlisberger is a changed man. He appears sorry for past mistakes that tarnished his image. He seems willing to be just as terrific a person off the field as he is a player on the field.

So maybe it’s time for anyone still angry and disappointed in him to cut the guy a break.

Let’s move on.

Back in April when details of Roethlisberger’s wild birthday binge were made public, so many of us were infuriated with him. We were stunned that he could be so stupid and put himself in position to have a sexual assault accusation levied against him for the second time in less than a year.

I was so disappointed in him I wrote that I didn’t care if he ever threw another pass for the Steelers.

The Rooney family was so upset with Roethlisberger that they thought about trading him away.

Around that time, I remember getting an e-mail from a woman who was among those disheartened with Roethlisberger’s behavior. But she concluded her e-mail by saying we should all pray that he turns his life around.

Well, it appears he has.

He’s done his punishment. He sat out the first four games of the season. He abided by the NFL edict that he undergo professional behavior evaluation.

He’s avoided further trouble. He seems to be nice to everyone he encounters professionally and socially.

He’s done nothing to suggest that he’s going to revert back to his former ways and be a jerk again.

I really believe he’s learned a lesson. He knows that one more slip-up and he’s history.

If I were a fan, I don’t know if I’d ever wear a Roethlisberger jersey. But I must admit that I am looking forward to watching him playing football again.

I just think that it’s time that we all allow Roethlisberger to put his past behind him.

Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com

[NYC_Steeler]

I'm way over it - esp after watching our Offense sputter in 3 games so far.

[pancake]

Originally Posted by NYC_Steeler

I'm way over it - esp after watching our Offense sputter in 3 games so far.

That sputtering offense should help others in their forgivness...

I am also over it and hope Ben takes advantage of this opportunity to turn his life around.

[StainlessStill]

Time to put this behind us and gear up for this Sunday and root against the North THEN look forward to the Big Man's return in 2 weeks!

Here we go TAMPA Here we go

Here we go ATLANTA Here we go

Here we go DENVER Here we go

[vasteeler]

well i still dont think he has done any thing wrong. so i have nothing to get over except for the fact that goodell has tried and failed to make our team struggle

[stb_steeler]

For those that dont want to give him a 2nd chance, id bet they'll be cheering him on when we're winning!

[Riddle_Of_Steel]

I've been wearing my Big Ben throwback since the season started. After reading through all the discovery information posted on the Post-Gazette, I felt silly for having been so angry at Ben (sounds to me like he got a BJ in the bathroom-- big deal, who hasn't?) back when it first came out in the news. Before reading through the actual evidence this summer, I was actually entertaining the notion of getting rid of him and his jersey.

Get ready when he comes back-- Steelers nation will accept him, but get ready to hear "Rapistburger" and a whole host of other stupid names once he gets back in the starting lineup and we straight up bury a few teams with Ben under Center...all the haters will be out in fulll force to try and impress us with how many different ways they can juxtapose the words "rapist" and "Roethlisberger" together....

And I don't much care, because his nickname at the end of the season will be "SB XLV MVP"...

[vasteeler]

Originally Posted by Riddle_Of_Steel

I've been wearing my Big Ben throwback since the season started. After reading through all the discovery information posted on the Post-Gazette, I felt silly for having been so angry at Ben (sounds to me like he got a BJ in the bathroom-- big deal, who hasn't?) back when it first came out in the news. Before reading through the actual evidence this summer, I was actually entertaining the notion of getting rid of him and his jersey.

Get ready when he comes back-- Steelers nation will accept him, but get ready to hear "Rapistburger" and a whole host of other stupid names once he gets back in the starting lineup and we straight up bury a few teams with Ben under Center...all the haters will be out in fulll force to try and impress us with how many different ways they can juxtapose the words "rapist" and "Roethlisberger" together....

And I don't much care, because his nickname at the end of the season will be "SB XLV MVP"...

EXACTLY!!!!