Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was a guest Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan and after talking about the recent announcement that his foundation would replace the loss of Pittsburgh Police K-9 Officer Rocco, who was killed in the line of duty over a week ago, he was asked a few football related questions.
With wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery set to become an unrestricted free agent in less than a month, the Steelers quarterback was asked if he hopes the team re-signs him.
“Absolutely, I hope it’s not going to be much longer,” said Roethlisberger. “I would love for J-Co to come back and my thing is that I always want everybody back. I would love for Emmanuel [Sanders] to be back. And we know that it’s a business and people have to do what’s best for their family and the team’s never the same. We always get new guys and we lose guys, but I hope they’re both back.
“And you asked me about J-Co and I do, I hope he’s back. He’s a huge asset to this team as a leader, as a good person and a veteran player for the young guys to look up to. As you saw last year, he was a security blanket for me, especially in the red zone – leading us at the end of the year in touchdowns.”
While Roethlisberger was sad to see the Steelers lose running backs coach Kirby Wilson during the offseason, he certainly understands and supports his decision. He said he was in contact with Wilson a lot throughout the process and hopes that one day he becomes an offensive coordinator.
With Mike Munchak being hired to coach the offensive line moving forward, Roethlisberger was asked to give his thoughts on the former Tennessee Titans head coach and Hall of Fame offensive lineman.
“I went in and got to meet him early when he got hired and I’m excited about that and I know that the line will be excited, because anytime you have a Hall-of-Famer coaching you, you better listen up,” he said.
With Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam announcing this week that he is an openly gay athlete, Roethlisberger was asked if he would have any problem with the Steelers drafting him and of course he said he wouldn’t.
“Not as long as he can play ball,” said Roethlisberger. “Obviously, that’s been a huge story, kind of been the headline of the sports world, if you will for the last week, or whenever the announcement was made.
“And I think a lot of things you’ve heard is the sentiment of a lot of people is if he can help your football team, then great. That’s what it’s all about. We’re out there to play ball, to win championships and if any individual can help you win a championship, then that’s what the goal is.”
As for Ryan Clark‘s recent comments about Steelers teammates smoking marijuana, Roethlisberger would only speak for himself.
“I can honestly say and am proud to say that I’ve never tried it,” said Roethlisberger. I’m not one of those people that Ryan Clark was talking about and am proud to say that I’m not.”
