Ben Roethlisberger: Will Big Ben Pass the Real Test and Stay Out of Trouble?

The Big Ben saga could easily be made into a movie.
 
From the motorcycle crash to the Super Bowl to late nights in Lake Tahoe and Georgia—Roethlisberger has had a roller coaster of a NFL career.
 
The “Big Ben Story” still has plenty of chapters to be written. The 28-year-old may not even have played half of his NFL career yet.
 
Here’s a look at the past and future chapters of the Big Ben saga.

10. Lake Tahoe Incident

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles from the podium during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers w

A lot of people have forgotten about his first sexual assault allegation...but this one is still going through the legal system.
 
Asking a hotel attendant to help with your T.V. usually doesn’t result in a sexual assault allegation.
 
Not in Big Ben’s case.
 
The legal proceedings will begin this summer. He wont go to jail, but it will certainly result in more bad publicity.
 
Stay tuned.

9. Roethlisberger Keys Comeback in '11 AFC Divisional Round

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Sha

The Ravens held a 21-7 halftime lead over their AFC North rival and were in complete control.

The second half was owned by Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense.
 
Big Ben led his team to 24 second half points on one of the stingiest defenses in the league.
 
He ended up completing 19 of his 32 passes for 226 yards and two TDs. He threw a beautiful 58-yard bomb to Antonio Brown that started the big comeback.

8. One Night at the Piano Bar

One of the more unnecessary stories of Super Bowl week was about TMZ pictures of Roethlisberger partying in Dallas.

He took his linemen out to dinner and was seen singing “Piano Man”.
 
It’s a total non-story, but it’s something Big Ben has to deal with. That’s the reputation he has earned.
 
Was head coach Mike Tomlin concerned?
 
“I'm not concerned one iota. It's normal for guys to eat dinner, believe it or not. During the course of the season, guys go out on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Believe it or not, guys live lives.”

7. Rothlisberger Breaks Career Best With 503 Yards Vs. Packers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws the game winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in front of BJ Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pen

The Steelers were in the midst of a five game losing streak and were rescued by an incredible Roethlisberger performance against the Packers in Week 15 of 2009.
 
Ben finished the game with 503 passing yards and three TDs, including a 19-yarder to Mike Wallace as time expired. He had a 122 QB rating and a walk off win.
 
Who would have guessed they would play again next year?

6. He Said, She Said

Rothlisberger was drunk at a bar in Milledgeville Georgia in March, and those are the only facts we truly know.
 
The victim said that Big Ben approached her “with his penis out of his pants” and “had sex with me” in spite of her objections.
 
To me, it sounds as if it was two drunk people that were hooking up, and Ben wanted it to go further and she didn’t.
 
We will never know for sure, but it resulted in an outraged nation and a four game suspension.

5. Ben Beats Pack and Nation Forgives

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty I

Winning may not cure all, but it sure does help.
 
Beating the Packers means that he is one of the greatest postseason QBs ever, and the discussions about his place in history overshadow his off the field antics.

4. Ben Gets in Trouble Again

He doesn’t always think with his brain, and the odds of him having another incident are still pretty high.
 
Can you even begin to imagine the backlash of this?
 
Longer suspension, even more tarnished personal legacy and never being able to meet a girl at a bar again are of few of the outcomes.
 
This is unlikely to happen because…

3. Big Ben’s Getting Married

This is a great idea for No. 7.
 
He is engaged and is planning to get married this year. That will help him avoid late night bar debacles.

2. Injuries Derail Career

Nobody ever thinks about this…but Roethlisberger has suffered three serious head traumas on the field and another when he fell off his motorcycle in ’06.
 
How many more concussions before it becomes a real issue?
 
He has been sacked 283 times in his career, and sooner or later, his body is going to break down.
 
With the fearlessness that he plays with, the safety of his body goes on the back burner. Tearing an ACL or severely hurting his knee could derail his career in a hurry.

1. Roethlisberger Approaches Joe Montana Status

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a first down pass to Hines Ward during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty I

He is quickly becoming one of the most accomplished QBs of all time.

If Big Ben is able to win another Super Bowl or two, he will enter territory that only Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana are in.

The best P.R. move he can do his to just keep winning. The more he wins, the more people forget about the demons from his past.

Just win, baby.

Verdict

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after Rashard Mendenhall #34 ran for an eight yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2

At this point he would be a complete idiot to get in trouble with a girl again.The media backlash would permanently scar his image.

He now has a fiance around to keep him inline and the days of drunk Ben groping women are likely over.

The major question rests on the field.

Will his body break down anytime soon?

The only way Roethlisberger's career gets derailed is if his body fails him. If Big Ben stays healthy he has the potential to go down as one of the greatest QBs ever.

The 2011 Super Bowl wont be his last.