Hillgrove: Roethlisberger must tune out fans

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May 24, 2010

Eric Knopsnyder eknopsnyder@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Mon May 24, 2010, 12:08 AM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — Ben Roethlisberger has plenty of things to worry about this season, but Steelers broadcaster Bill Hillgrove says there’s one thing the Super Bowl-winning quarterback can’t be concerned with: How the fans treat him.

Roethlisberger, who NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended for the first six games of the season after a March incident in which a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga., has faced a backlash in the city that loved him just a few months ago. Sales of his No. 7 jersey have plummeted as fans have seemingly tired of his off-the-field issues – from the motorcycle accident that jeopardized his career just months after Super Bowl XL to a Nevada woman filing a civil suit against him claiming that he sexually assaulted her in Nevada in 2008.

There has been speculation about what kind of reception he’ll receive when he does return to the Steelers, but Hillgrove, who has been the team’s radio voice for the past 16 seasons, said that shouldn’t be a concern for the

28-year-old quarterback.

“If you worry about the fans, you’re worried about the wrong things,” Hillgrove said during a stop in Johnstown last week. “It’s wonderful to have fan support, but when they get on you, you have to ignore it, because fans don’t play the game. I think if he goes out and performs like we know he can perform, the fans will gradually say ‘OK, Ben, you learned a lesson, welcome back.’ ”

Hillgrove said he believes that Roethlisberger knows that he must make some changes in his personal life.

“Poor decisions,” Hillgrove said. “He knows now that he has to change his approach. I hope he doesn’t change it on the field, because Lord knows he’s as good as it gets on the field, but he’s got to re-evaluate how he operates when he’s not between the white lines. And I think he will. I think he’s showing signs already that he’s willing to do that. I think you just move on, and, rightfully, I think (Steelers Chairman) Dan Rooney did the Christian thing and gave him one more shot.”

Roethlisberger is limited in how much he can do with the Steelers, but Hillgrove said he’ll have to mend some fences once he returns to the locker room.

“I think he has to win back the respect of some of his teammates,” Hillgrove said. “I think he’ll do that.

“And I think this team will be able to put a very painful chapter in its history behind it.”

Hillgrove, who has broadcast Pitt basketball games for the past three decades and has been the Panthers football team’s play-by-play man for 25 years, doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

“Health is an issue, especially in my age category, but I’m having too much fun,” he said. “I’m like a golf pro – what do I retire to? Knock on wood, as long as Mr. (Dick) Groat’s doing basketball with me and Bill Fralic’s doing (Pitt) football, I’ll go on forever, if I’m permitted to. That’s not my call.”

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