Josh Harris played for the Steelers in 2014. From an article written in 2015...
Afterward, Roethlisberger calls Wheaton over. Some quarterbacks might give their receiver a tip on how to avoid the linebacker or applaud him for bravery. Roethlisberger does something different. Quietly, he tells Wheaton to get down next time. He is not concerned about how many extra passing yards he might get if Wheaton stays on his feet. He is concerned about his receiver's well-being.
The small gesture escaped the notice of many—but not all. Veteran guard Ramon Foster overheard the exchange. He says it was one of the most impressive things he's ever heard a teammate say to another. Foster says it speaks to Roethlisberger's "devotion" to his teammates.
"It's not just him working on himself," Foster said. "He wants to help others be better."
In those early years, Roethlisberger might have been the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria. Now, at 33, the second-oldest player on the roster, he's likely to join the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria.
Wheaton maneuvered to secure what he considers to be the prime spot in the Steelers locker room—the stall next to Roethlisberger's. And he uses it to his benefit, firing off questions like a preschooler and soaking up whatever wisdom the quarterback might pass along.
Since Wheaton is expected to replace Lance Moore as the Steelers' primary inside receiver, Roethlisberger has been going over Wheaton's routes with him after every practice. He also quizzes the receiver regularly.
"He goes out of his way a lot to help us young guys out," said Wheaton, a third-year player. "Whoever wants to learn, he's willing to help them. …He is always open to conversation. He never blows anybody off."
At another dinner, Roethlisberger asked each player what his goal was for 2015 and what he thought he needed to do in order to be his best. He also shared what he thought was necessary to make a great team and to make a great player. He reflected on some of the great teams he has been a part of.
In the offseason prior to last year, Roethlisberger invited Wheaton and fellow young wide receivers Antonio Brown, Justin Brown and Derek Moye to Newport Beach, California, for a few days so they could run routes, throw and catch and get some football time in during the period when NFL teams are not allowed to practice. The chemistry the quarterback built with his receivers in California helped the Steelers pass for more yards than 30 teams last season.
"He helped me be a better player by always challenging me," said Antonio Brown, a former sixth-round pick who led the NFL in receiving yards last season. "No matter what you achieve, he's always harping on continuously improving, finding ways to be better."
So this spring, Roethlisberger brought Brown, Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back LeVeon Bell on a four-day excursion to Georgia, where they stayed at Roethlisberger's Greensboro lake house and trained at the University of Georgia. They worked out about two-and-a-half hours a day in advance of OTAs.
"We got great work," Bell said. "And we had a great time. It was a great thing for him to do.
Getting the on-field work in Georgia was great. But the best benefit, as Roethlisberger saw it, may have been relationship-building. There were 90 minutes in the car each day to talk and laugh. There was the daily stop at the Waffle House for breakfast. Pool time. Most of the afternoon was spent on one of Roethlisberger's boats or playing around on his jet skis. And then there were dinners out.
There were also the plane rides—on a private jet with catered meals. This was not an inexpensive endeavor, and Roethlisberger picked up the entire tab.
"The cost doesn't matter," Roethlisberger said. "I wanted to get to know the guys, and I thought it could help make us better. If it made me closer to them—and it did—it's all worth it. If it helps us win a Super Bowl, it's all worth it."
Additionally, Roethlisberger hosts get-togethers for teammates at his Pittsburgh-area home, where they swim in a pool with No. 7 on the bottom, and at his father's house, where they ride ATVs and grill steaks. A willingness to share is part of what endears Roethlisberger to his teammates.
Roethlisberger goes out of his way to be kind to rookies, Batch said. Whenever the Steelers had a rookie QB, he never had to pay the bill for the position-group dinner. Roethlisberger would take his credit card as if he was going to use it, and then pay himself.
"He even did a good job communicating with rookies he knew wouldn't make the team," Batch said. "He wanted to make sure he shared the experience with those guys so when they go back to tell stories in the barbershop or wherever, they remember him as a good teammate and say, 'Man, Ben was a pretty cool dude.'"
Being a backup to Roethlisberger has perks.
"I sat next to him in that room for nine of his 11 years," said Batch, now a media analyst in Pittsburgh. "I know what he's done, and it's a lot. And I'm not even including the little things he would get for the [quarterbacks] room: snacks, drinks, things to fill the refrigerator in there, or buying comfortable chairs for the room."
Some of his most precious gifts haven't cost a dime, though. When Antonio Brown decided to stay away from voluntary workouts this offseason, his quarterback called. Roethlisberger told him to make sure he showed up for OTAs, because he didn't want to see the media and fans turn on the receiver.
"He has made me a better person by talking about life things, family things," Brown said. "He has told me about mistakes he has made and encouraged me not to make the same mistakes. He talks about making sure we are doing the right thing for our families and being the best man we can be."
Roethlisberger also has provided counsel for Bell since he was charged with possession of marijuana and DUI last August. Bell, who was in middle school when Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl, clearly looks up to his quarterback.
"He has told me I can't ever be in that situation again," Bell said. "He has had situations where he has gotten in trouble. He got some grief for it. I'm getting that same type of thing now. He told me just to ignore it all and let my play speak for itself. He said eventually people will forget it as long as you become a better person and player. They will remember the good things.
"He's always telling me right from wrong. He has said if I ever need help or have a problem, I should let him know."
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2505720-how-ben-roethlisberger-grew-up-and-became-one-of-the-nfls-great-teammatesThrow. The. Football. On. First. Down.
