There was no mention of the criticism he faced from a former teammate, but Ben Roethlisberger briefly touched on his own maturation process in the latest episode of his podcast.
The retired Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback steered clear of the controversy stirred up last week by ex-linebacker Joey Porter Sr., who accused Roethlisberger of not being a good teammate. But Roethlisberger acknowledged his own personal growth while discussing “I Can Only Imagine 2,” a film set for release Friday.
“It reminded me of the transformation I’ve gone through in my life, that only comes from the grace of God,” Roethlisberger said of the biographical drama about MercyMe, a contemporary Christian music group.
“We all have to grow up,” Roethlisberger added. “We’re all immature, at times, and we’re all selfish. That’s just part of what happened in the Garden (of Eden). That’s the sin that is in all of us. We’re born inherently sinful and selfish. I think as we grow and we mature, I say it’s only through the grace of God that we can look back and be like, ‘Man, look how much I’ve changed.’ I’m proud of that.”
Roethlisberger co-hosts the weekly “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.” The episode published Tuesday night was the first since Porter challenged his character as both a teammate and a person. Roethlisberger shared with co-host Spencer Te’o how priorities in life change.
“I’d like to think as we mature and we grow in our faith — I’ve grown in my faith — that it’s less about me (as priority) No. 1,” Roethlisberger said. “A lot of us, inherently, that’s what we are, we’re born that way. We’re born that I’m No. 1. And I think as I’ve grown in my faith and with my family, ‘me’ needs to come way down. God goes No. 1, my family, my friends and me.”
Porter blasted Roethlisberger’s character during an appearance on the Feb. 11 episode of “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.” Porter said teammates “covered” for Roethlisberger during his playing days to shield him, adding how the star quarterback separated himself from the team and refused to autograph items for teammates’ families.
The two were teammates for three seasons. Porter returned as a coach for five seasons later in Roethlisberger’s career.
On Monday, former Steelers teammate James Harrison used his “Deebo and Joe” podcast to defend Roethlisberger. But Roethlisberger on Tuesday chose not to wade into the unexpected podcast feud between retired Steelers legends.
Roethlisberger, Porter and Harrison are all members of the Steelers Hall of Honor.
Near the 10-minute mark of his “Footbahlin” podcast, Roethlisberger shared how he and his family recently traveled to Nashville for the movie premiere. “I Can Only Imagine 2” is a sequel to a 2018 film.
Roethlisberger called the film’s inspiration, MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard, a “good friend.”