The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has struggled during the 2022 NFL season and fans have been less than enthusiastic about the offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. The Steelers have managed three victories this season and are 3-1 when they score 20 points or more. Pittsburgh fans on social media have been calling for a Steelers legendary signal caller to come out of retirement and take the offensive coordinator position.
Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger | YouTube
The Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast episode 12 was released on Tuesday and KDKA’s Bob Pompeani joined Ben Roethlisberger and Spencer T’eo. Pompeani has been working at KDKA for 40 years and has been the Steelers preseason play by play voice on television for over 20 seasons. Roethlisberger is new to the podcast game, and they asked the KDKA veteran how he thought social media had changed the landscape of sports coverage:
“I think it’s good if they do it right,” Pompeani said about athletes who podcasts. “Bad if not. I think there is so much stuff that spreads, who knows where it comes from, the fake accounts. That’s what I hate most about it. Is it right, is it wrong, do you rush to judgement? That’s the other thing that’s changed, people are rushing to get things on first rather than get it right. Sometimes you don’t have to be first, you just have to be right with it.”
ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as they play against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Pompeani has been working in sports media for a long time and when he started in 1982, the rate that information flowed to the public was radically different. Being wrong when you had time to research and verify could kill a career, now too often being wrong is just par for the course. The cycle spins so quickly that accuracy rarely is as important as a splashy headline. Athletes talking directly to their fans via Tik Tok, Instagram and Twitter to tell their story is refreshing access when the personality is aware and controlling the information directly.
“I’ve seen some,” Pompeani comments on players podcasts. “I think Ryan Clark has a really good one, and you [athletes] can get connections with others that we can’t. You know what I’m saying, you [Roethlisberger] have all these people you have met over the years and reveal conversations most people would never see, which is great.”
The legendary broadcaster succinctly points out the advantage to an athlete who uses his platform to discuss topics in a comfortable long form environment from a shared experience. Professional skilled interviewers like Dan Patrick, Jim Rome and Pompeani are good at drawing out answers from athletes, but they are still on the other side of the conversation.
“Would you want to do this [broadcasting] for a living,” Pompeani turned the tables on Roethlisberger. “Tom Brady was offered $320 million by FOX.”
Credit: Ben Roethlisberger Twitter Page @_BigBen7
“You know what, I love my family too much.” Roethlisberger stated. “I don’t want to be away from the family. I guess if you did something locally you could do it. To do games, that kind of stuff, it doesn’t intrigue me right now. I’m enjoying coaching my son’s fourth grade basketball team. I should probably clarify, it’s not about that for me. Family is priceless, you can’t put a price on being with my kids.”
The future Pittsburgh Hall of Famer couched what will be perceived as a shot at Tom Brady’s current family situation. In context, he did not seem to be intentionally singling out the Brady divorce, just answering within the framework of the question. Roethlisberger’s commitment to family is admirable and his growing podcast allows him to keep a toe in football without a serious time commitment.
“I’ll ask this next question, because we get it all the time,” Pompeani concludes. “Put Ben in the booth, bring him back as the offensive coordinator, he can call plays. I answer for you and say there is no way he’d do that because of the time commitment, is that right?”
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 08: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Roethlisberger was a master of improvisation on the football field and earned the nickname “Backyard Ben” from teammates for drawing plays in the huddle. He seemed to be at his best during no huddle situations where he called at least 95% of the plays himself.
“No, no way,” Roethlisberger emphatically stated.
He did not elaborate or leave any ambiguity. At this point in his retirement, Roethlisberger has zero interest in professional coaching. The former quarterback could probably take over the job, but if he doesn’t want to spend time away from the family broadcasting, it is extremely unlikely that he will ever consider the long hours that coordinating would require.
The Steelers face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium and his son’s 10th birthday weekend will include taking a group of his friends to watch the game. The retired Steelers signal caller seems quite content to attend the game as a fan and host a weekly podcast from his home. After a bruising 18-year career, he has earned the right to do what he wants, and it is refreshing to see a modern player prioritize his family as what he wants to do and mean it.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you happy to see Ben Roethlisberger enjoying a well-deserved rest? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
