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Ben Roethlisberger: I’ll Miss Game If My Wife Goes Into Labor

By Josh Sanchez

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Aug 19, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) watches a play from the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE
Aug 19, 2012; Pittsburgh , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) watches a play from the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE /

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was once one of the most disliked NFL signal-callers among the NFL fans but he has worked hard at rehabbing his image. Roethlisberger has been able to avoid any off-field trouble and has generally stayed out of the headlines aside from his marriage.

Now, Roethlisberger’s wife is apparently pregnant and she is the reason for him making the headlines again. Roethlisberger has said that he will miss a game if his wife goes into labor.

“I’m not missing the birth of my child,” Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette. “There’s no chance. I know some fans probably don’t want to hear that, but there’s no chance.”

“It’s exciting,” Roethlisberger said when speaking on fatherhood. “There’s a lot of things you don’t think about. It’s kind of like when you’re younger and you want to play quarterback in the NFL, all you think about is playing quarterback, you don’t think about the interviews and the little things you have to do. It’s kind of the same thing.

“When you’re going to be a father, all you think about is having this little baby, you don’t think about the registry, the room, the diapers, all the little things that go along with it. It’s exciting and it is a little bit scary, too. It is. Before long, you’re going to have this little life that you’re taking care of. But I’ve heard nothing but great things from people [about] just how it will change your life. I’m just so excited for that challenge.”

Roethlisberger and his wife hope they can avoid any conflict between the birth of their child and a Steelers game but Big Ben sees the bigger picture and knows they can make something work. If his wife does go into labor, the Steelers would turn to Byron Leftwich or Charlie Batch to go under center.

It may not be what Steelers fan would want, especially if the team is in the thick of the playoff race, but you have to admire Roethlisberger for choosing to be a real man, a husband and a father over being a NFL quarterback.

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