Goodell cuts Roethlisberger’s suspension to four games
Ben Roethlisberger’s original six-game suspension has been reduced to four games by the NFL. The Steelers’ quarterback met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday and was told that he had fulfilled what was asked of him.
Goodell suspended Roethlisberger in April after he was accused of sexual assault in March. Roethlisberger was never charged or convicted but as the league’s personal conduct policy states, the commissioner can suspend a player if he feels the player has brought a negative image to the NFL. Goodelll felt so but also informed Roethlisberger at the time of the suspension, he would possibly reduce it if Roethlisberger did what was asked of him and stayed out of trouble.
"You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions," Goodell said in a letter to Roethlisberger. "Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment."
Roethlisberger and his representatives had asked Goodell for the suspension to be reduced to three games. Goodell stuck with his original promise that it could only be reduced to four. Goodell and Roethlisberger had already spoken during the Steelers’ training camp and had admitted he was pleased with the quarterback’s progress.
"I have learned a lot over the past several months about myself as a person," Roethlisberger said in a statement. "I am committed to continuing on this path of being the type of person my family raised me to be, and exceeding what is expected of me as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Roethlisberger will be able to return for 17 October when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns. Had the ban stayed at six, he wouldn’t have returned until 31 October against the New Orleans Saints.
Roethlisberger cannot practice with the Steelers nor can he attend games, publically represent the Steelers or have any contact with the coaching staff or personnel. While serving his suspension, he will head to California to work with a quarterbacks coach George Whitfield and throw to receivers who are searching for work around the NFL. Maybe he can even practice with Santonio Holmes, his former team-mate. Holmes was traded by Pittsburgh to the New York Jets after he had his own legal issues. Holmes was the Super Bowl XLIII MVP and caught the game-winning touchdown from Roethlisberger.
In Roethlisberger’s absence, the Steelers will start either Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch at quarterback. The team’s schedule minus Roethlisberger includes hosting Atlanta, visiting Tennessee and Tampa Bay before returning home in a huge divisional matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. It is vital that the Steelers come out of that stretch at least at 2-2 or their playoff hopes may slip in a hurry.
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