There is no doubt that Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger had a tumultuous start to his NFL career. He was accused of sexual assault two different times within his first six years in the league and although he never faced charges, was in the spotlight for a long time regarding off the field instances. He was also involved in a vicious motorcycle accident back in 2006 just months after he led the organization to a fifth Lombardi Trophy. On a recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he and his former coach, Bill Cowher, talked about a number of topics and recalled that scary crash in June of 2006.
Former Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger (middle) hoists the Lombardi Trophy after the second of his two Super Bowl Titles alongside wide receiver, Santonio Holmes (far left) and late owner, Dan Rooney (far right). | Photo Credit: Win McNamee / Getty Images
Cowher recalled when he went to go see Roethlisberger in the hospital following the accident. He had some words for him while his quarterback seemed beat up pretty badly in the Intensive Care Unit.
"I think I just said, 'You're gonna be alright. We're gonna take care of you' and then I remember walking away saying, 'Alright, I'm going to yell at him.'"
The signal-caller who had just become the youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl seemed invincible. He was destined for a career of greatness and it all was almost lost in the blink of an eye. Cowher had words that would send a chill down anyone's spine who was watching and listening to the podcast when it dropped on Monday evening.
"I remember just telling your dad, 'This might be the best thing to ever happen to him.'"
Steelers Coach Bill Cowher joined the Footbahling with Ben Roethlisberger podcast to discuss a number of topics about his time with the organization. | Photo Credit: Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger / Channel Seven YouTube
It was somewhat remarkable that in just a few short months, Roethlisberger would be back on the field for the Steelers and playing under center. He was't quite himself though, according to Cowher.
"I remember that year, you kept turning in your first few games. I go, 'Ben, you're flinching, you're kind of turning away.' We'd come in on Monday's. I said, 'Watch the tape.' And you go, 'Well, you'd be flinching too if you [were just] in a motorcycle accident.'"
Cowher continued to discuss what it was like for him to watch a rather timid Roethlisberger, but also agreed that he would probably have been the same way if he were in a brutal accident.
"I go, 'I know. I know. But, I just want to point out to you, you're okay. But, get back to being who you are. You're gonna be okay. We're not gonna put you out there if there's any risk of anything happening to you.'"
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger (#7) celebrates at Heinz Field during a regular season game against the Denver Broncos in 2021. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation / Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Steelers Hall Of Fame Quarterback Bounced Back After Scary Crash
Roethlisberger would go on to have a long and successful career for the Steelers. The beginning of his 18-year NFL stint certainly wasn't the most positive from a public relations standpoint, but it's pretty wild to hear Cowher say that the near-deadly motorcycle crash was the best thing that could have happened to a young and boastful Roethlisberger. He was lucky enough to come out of it alive, ditch the motorcycle and become one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Do you think the Steelers legend got a glimpse of reality and that the accident was a good thing that happened to him? Let us know in the comments below!
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