Steelers QB Roethlisberger Finds Religion after Sex Accusation

(FOX Sports) - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has altered his lifestyle since being accused of sexual assault in April -- by turning to religion, it was reported Thursday.

On the eve of his meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, where he will seek a reduction to his six-week suspension relating to the accusations, Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review how reading the Bible changed his perspective on life.

"The first thing I read, the very first thing, was about the shepherd who loses one sheep. He goes out, finds it and leaves his whole flock and goes to find it," Roethlisberger said. "And that’s so true."

Teammates and coaches seem to have noticed a more fan- and teammate-friendly disposition after Roethlisberger's change of heart.

"Earlier in his career, he left the building and a lot of people didn't know what he did," veteran Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "He was just secluded by himself, but now he's opening himself up to guys. He's joking around with everybody, rookies included. He's a different guy."

Roethlisberger also let it be known it's unlikely he'll ever address the incident where he was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old girl in the bathroom of a bar in Georgia.

"I doubt I will ever even talk about it again. It's a bunch of chapters in my life that have closed and I am moving forward.

"I don't think you need to dwell on things in the past, just like football.

"You throw an interception, you move on. You have a bad season; you've got to move on because if you dwell on those things, it will bring you down. So to me, it's over. It's all about moving on and playing football."

Roethlisberger and his representatives will ask for at least a three-game reduction in the suspension at Friday's meeting in New York, arguing he was never arrested or charged with a crime, ESPN reported.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw said he hopes commissioner Roger Goodell keeps Ben Roethlisberger's suspension at six games, according to a report in the Shreveport Times.

Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw said he hoped the six-week ban stood.

"Going to bars -- treating women like that; oh my God. I pray they don't cut [his suspension] to four games. I hope they leave it at six. There is no excuse for that. The egos get out of hand," Bradshaw told the Shreveport Times.

Source: FOX Sports