Steelers Deny Big Ben Injury

Ben Roethlisberger says he played Super Bowl XLIII with broken ribs. The Steelers claim to know nothing of it.

Team spokesman Dave Lockett told the AP that "There's not a whole lot to say ... Ben was fine to go. He was cleared to play. He didn't miss any [practice] time. There was no doubt he was going to play."

It seems like an odd thing for the organization to deny, particularly now that the season is over, but it's not the first time Big Ben and the Steelers have disagreed on the severity of an injury.

During the '05 Super Bowl run, KDKA's John Shumway asked then head coach Bill Cowher about the injured thumb on Roethlisberger's throwing hand. Cowher's response: "Hey, John, you got to let that go, man ... You got to let it go, honestly. I'm not going to answer any more about that, really. Let it go. I mean, c'mon. Talk to [Roethlisberger]. I'm not going to talk about it, so don't ask me questions. You can talk to him. You don't have to ..."

I think Cowher would like John to let it go. John didn't, of course, asking this follow-up: "When your quarterback says he can't throw past 40 yards, doesn't that affect the game plan?" Which prompted a Cowher glare and growl: "I answered you."

Classic.

There was also the 2004 season, when Roethlisberger, following the AFC Championship game loss to the Patriots, announced that he had played with "a couple broken toes." Cowher, predictably, said he was "unaware of any problems with his toes."

Again, no idea why the organization would be so tight-lipped about an injury after the season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette, after hearing from NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, adds that the Steelers weren't in danger of violating the Super Bowl injury reports, either:

Ben's injury was disclosed in the required injury report the week prior to the team going to Tampa for the Super Bowl. He was listed throughout that week with a back injury. The reports that week said he did not practice on Wednesday and fully practiced on Thursday and Friday. He was then listed on Friday as probable for the Super Bowl with a back injury. The Steelers' then fully cleared him to practice and play and he was not listed on the SB week injury report. We also have a pool reporter procedure for Super Bowl week. A [Pro Football Writers Association] appointed reporter attends every practice session of each team to report on the physical condition of the players. AFC pool reporter Peter King reported throughout the week that Ben fully practiced and "looked sharp." There was no doubt as to Ben's availability. Then, of course, he played the entire game.

The takeaway: Ben Roethlisberger is no Peter Burns.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-10-2009 @ 7:20AM

svetahor said...

Someone tells not the truth! But why does it matter? They inject and tape. We all know that! But why does it all matter? Because of gambling, both legal and illegal. Let's face it, the regular non-gambling fan cares not whether Ben played with broken ribs all injected up or with just sore ribs all injected up. But the gambler? Not that's a different story. Gambling and a connection to a team? Now that's a different story too! Ryan Wilson! Research and do a story on the NFL and the money gambled--how injuries affect the betting line--might have your Pulitzer!!!

2-10-2009 @ 10:42AM

jim said...

I think Worthlessberger just wants people to think he is so great he can play hurt. The Steelers won, he doesn't need an excuse!!!!! He is an average QB playing with a team that does anything to win including taking cheap shots at the opponents best players.

2-10-2009 @ 1:06PM

Walt and Teresa said...

Sound alittle bitter. If you team isnt up for the game they shouldn't take the field!

2-10-2009 @ 3:38PM

waterlillies10 said...

i agree with you jim his name is worthlessburger nothing more, he just wants people to think more of him, what a sorry jerk he is a very classless individual. the leader of no class team called the stealers, this is the correct spelling

2-13-2009 @ 5:15PM

i still am happy to get the last word on towel waving zombies from pittsturd, forever will be known as the stealers rooney+referees=stealer wins. and don't you idiots forget this. just ask teams how the refs favor you like the seahawks,ravens, cardinals, and how dirty a team when your guy went for carston palmers knee in the championship. nuff said

2-14-2009 @ 3:10PM

fshnt21 said...

SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF SOUR GRAPES....

THE KID HAS 2 SUPER BOWL RINGS AND MORE WINS THAN ANY QUARTERBACK IN NFL HISTORY IN HIS FIRST 5 YEARS (THAT INCLUDES UNITAS, MONTANA, FARVE, ELWAY, STAUBACH, BRADY,BRADSHAW, MARINO AND THE REST).

PICK ON HIM IF YOU WILL BUT THAT'S SOME PRETTY HEADY COMPANY....

2-16-2009 @ 12:33PM

no one cares about worthlessberger, he is a joke like jeff reed or hines ward, the stealers or stillers as rasineddie referred to them in another blog has to do with ben stiller, the stillers are paper champions nothing more, thanks raisineddie for another good name for them

2-19-2009 @ 1:06AM

gcn said...

I posted a long thought and waterlillies10 called me the "writer of essays". I think that's because he can't read. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Waterlillies, you should learn to read and write, chica.

2-19-2009 @ 1:07AM

PS: If anybody wants to see what a loser (and coward) waterlillies10 is, check out these links:

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/10/steelers-offseason-is-all-about-planning-ahead/#cont

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/14/jeff-reed-will-not-tolerate-empty-paper-towel-machines/6#comments

waterlillies10 es muy stupido