by Chris Humpherys

Created on: April 24, 2010

In a Tweet that sent shockwaves around the country, the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers had contacted the St Louis Rams about trading Ben Roethlisberger… and the Rams were not interested.  Wow!  I guess they like Sam Bradford THAT much.

I’m not sure which is more shocking.  The fact that the Steelers wanted to trade their two-time, Super Bowl winning quarterback and start from scratch, even after his recent suspension, or that the Rams, winners of only six games in three years, had absolutely no interest.

My how the mighty have fallen.

Ben Roethlisberger is a proven NFL quarterback with the hardware to show for it, but to most general managers in the league, his actions off the field obviously outweigh his Super Bowl victories.

We’re not talking about Michael Vick here, or are we?  After Vick’s release from prison for dog fighting charges, most teams wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole.  The same can currently be said for Roethlisberger.

Former NFL head coach turned television analyst, Herm Edwards, said on air that the Steelers owe it to Big Ben to give him another chance.  He compared Ben’s case to a child coming home with a DUI.  Do you give up on that child or wean him back to promise?  Only problem is, Ben didn’t get a DUI.  He’s been accused of rape… twice. 

If you’re a team with a lousy quarterback – and there are plenty of them out there – which would you prefer?  Taking a chance on an unproven quarterback or signing one who revived a franchise but comes with baggage?  Keep in mind, Ben has more Super Bowl rings than anyone in the league not named Tom Brady.  In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers backed Kobe Bryant after his rape allegations and that seemed to work out pretty well.

We may never know how many offers were turned down for Ben or how serious the Rooney family was about trading him.  The first two nights of the draft came and went without mention of Roethlisberger, which must have pleased Commissioner Goodell to no end.  For now, Big Ben remains a Steeler.

Time heals all wounds and that’s exactly what Pittsburgh Steelers fans everywhere are hoping for. 

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