Big Ben is Back Whether You Want Him or Not

It's that time of year again where Steelers fan start to arrange their day to watch their favorite team practice. We run up to Latrobe to St. Vincent's and welcome our champions back with open arms. The only question I have this year is, how many open arms will be waiting for Big Ben?

Let's face it; Ben had a crap shoot of an off season. Again. The world watched as he was charged, with charges subsequently dropped, with his second allegation within a year of "sexual misconduct". He seems to have had a slew of bad luck in his off seasons from accidents to legal issues. He's young, he has a lot of money and he's famous but that doesn't give you the right to act like a fool.

I must admit though, the football player that Ben is, I love. I yell at the television and cheer for him every Sunday that he graces my TV, along with the other players of course. Does this mean I "forgive" Ben for his misconduct? I really haven't thought about it. I'm not the one he hurt. His charges were dropped and he has a six game suspension. Granted, if I had a young child that looked up to him I may feel differently for their sake. He's not a "hero" to me. Do I think he learned his "lesson" here? I don't know. You never know what it takes for people to get put on a right path or stop putting themselves in bad situations. I have to go back and forth between people looking to extort a famous person and an actual legal case for a wrong doing. I would like to believe in humanity but honestly there are so many money hungry people that sue for stupid reasons, irrational reasons and for things that never even existed. If a woman can actually sue because her coffee was hot and she placed it in between her legs, spilled it and burned herself then I believe any one will sue for anything that they can.

But this is not up to me to decide. The only thing I get to decide is if I still will chant his names and wave my Terrible Towel for him. If Ben is on the field, doing what he is paid to do, then that's all I can ask for.

I've heard people say they are no longer a fan. I've heard people say they can't look at him the same way. I honestly don't believe that. I think people have said that at the time but once he is on the field again they will be screaming and cheering. Ben is not the first Steelers, or NFL player, to face allegations of any sort. As one of many examples, Jeff Reed had an angry spat with a hand towel dispenser and public intoxication charges. For many players they return and the fan attention is as if they never left.

I don't know Ben Roethlisberger as a person I just know him as the quarterback for the team I love. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I never believed on judging people harshly on what they believe, but I also believe that there are two sides to every person and two sides to every story.

I'd really like to hear, if you're a fan of Ben and the Steelers, if you'll continue to support him or not. I know I will. I don't know what really happened, all I know is I can lend my faith in my team, including him.