Speaking virtually to the ManUp Pittsburgh conference earlier this week, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger discussed his struggles with being addicted to alcohol and pornography.
During the online conference, which “encourages and teaches men to be godly leaders for their families and raises awareness of the devastating impact of fatherlessness among youth today,” the 38-year-old discussed his shortcomings as a man and as a Christian, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
“I’ve fallen as short as anybody,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve been addicted to alcohol. I’ve been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be. You have to dedicate yourself and understand that you can get out of it because of the grace of God.”
Roethlisberger, who faced two separate sexual misconduct accusations in 2009 and 2010 but was never formally charged, married his wife Ashley in 2011 and they have three children, two sons and a daughter.
In a strange coincidence, it was after all the allegations — which also include an incident where he allegedly left adult film star Stormy Daniels “terrified” after Donald Trump introduced the two — and his marriage that Roethlisberger re-affirmed his faith, going so far as to have a second baptism three years ago.
“I just felt that I needed to do that,” Roethlisberger said. “I wanted to have a closer walk, a better relationship with Jesus, my wife, my kids, my family — become a better person.”
Roethlisberger missed the majority of last season after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery following a loss in Week 2 that dropped the Steelers to 0-2. He is expected to be fully healthy entering this season, his 17th in the NFL, and has already been throwing and working out with his teammates.
The Steelers, who have never had a losing record under coach Mike Tomlin, failed to make the playoffs last season for the second straight year after qualifying for the postseason in four straight seasons.
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