Hines Ward calls out Ben Roethlisberger for not playing
I just watched Hines Ward on the NBC pregame show and was pretty shocked to hear him discuss the Ben Roethlisberger situation. Roethlisberger won’t play against the Ravens tonight due to a concussion that he suffered last week, leaving the Steelers with third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon, who will make his first NFL start.
Hines was surprisingly candid, as he acknowledged that the Steeler locker room was basically split as to whether Roethlisberger should play. He never came out and clearly said he supported the decision to have Big Ben sit, and Bob Costas tried his best to get Ward to acknowledge that head injuries like concussions should be treated differently.
In his defense, Ward was trying to explain the mentality of players who want to be on the field if they can walk. Frankly, it’s that mentality that necessitates a new policy on concussions, particularly in college and high school where this has become a real problem.
Posted in: NFL
Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Ben Roethlisberger concussion, Ben Roethlisberger image, Ben Roethlisberger photo, Ben Roethlisberger pic, Big Ben, concussions, football concussions, Hines Ward, Hines Ward calls out Big Ben, Hines Ward concussion, Hines Ward image, Hines Ward photo, Hines Ward pic, Hines Ward vs Big Ben, NFL concussions
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Man, That’s a tough one. You want to be able to play and fight for another day!
Totally agree that the mentality to play no matter what should influence a concussion policy leaguewide.
I wonder if he feels the same way about the guys he puts in the hospital with his blindsided cheap shot blocks?
I live in Pittsburgh and love the Steelers. First off, Ward is wrong. Over the past couple years he seems to be evolving into a whiner. He complained when Ben asked for a tall receiver. Why? Is he insecure about his height? He is a GREAT wideout but the line must be drawn. Especially when it comes to a players health. Especially when that player is the face of the franchise. Especially when he has a 108 million dollar contract. Especially when he has had four concussions in four years. Ben came into Pittsburgh and brought two Super Bowls with him. Regardless of his play in SB 40, without him we wouldn’t have even reached the playoffs. Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox couldn’t get it done with, pretty much, the same team. Our O-Line was horrible. Do you think anyone other than Ben could have won those Super Bowls for us? Ward is good but without Ben, he never wins A SINGLE SUPER BOWL, let alone two. The game is a team effort, both players contribute on game day, period. But Dennis Dixon almost won the game and he is apart of this team too. Calling out Ben like that undermines the team effort and Dennis Dixon. Maybe Psycho Ward is finally losing his marbles?
Wow…good read from a Steelers fan. Ward was way off base. Ben is arguably the toughest QB in the league (J. Paulsen, that was for you). I actually think he’s the toughest, along with P. Manning and Garrard.
I had a friend who followed Big Ben from his early college days. As a Browns fan, I was sick when the Steelers drafted him.
In his first SB, he really didn’t do much, so while he was a very good QB, I didn’t think he was one of the best. Since then he has literally carried the Steelers. He’s one of the top QBs in the league, and on the run he’s the best.
Ward is an idiot for saying anything. Santonio was just as dumb after the game.
Man, that’s a tough won. I played with concussions before, and I got to tell you, that’s a tuff one. A very tuff won. I’m telling ewe, I plaid with konkussions bee four. And I….I….where am I anyway?