Bears cornerback Charles Tillman isn’t the only football player that may have the birth of a child impact his availability for an upcoming game.
Tillman stirred debate when he said that he wouldn’t play on Sunday night as his 7-1 Bears face the 7-1 Texans due to the birth of his child. Most organizations preach “family first”, but during such a high profile and important game, some feel that his priorities are misplaced.
Now it appears Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, for one, agrees with Tillman.
As pointed out by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, earlier this season, after making it public that he and his wife were expecting their first child, Roethlisberger told Ed Bouchette of Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “I’m not missing the birth of my child. There’s no chance. I know some fans probably don’t want to hear that, but there’s no chance.”
Maybe Steelers fans don’t want to hear it, but Ravens fans sure do.
On The Dan Patrick Show today, Patrick asked Roethlisberger if he knew what the name of his child would be. Roethlisberger replied with,” I’ll let you know in like two weeks.”
So does that mean the kid is due in two weeks’ time?
With only one game separating the Steelers and Ravens in the AFC North entering Week 10, the timing of Roethlisberger’s little miracle could ultimately have an impact on how the division shakes out. Nine days from now, the Ravens will play the Steelers in their first of two games against their divisional rival in three weeks.
Without Roethlisberger – who is having perhaps his best season – the Steelers become far less daunting for a Ravens defense that has struggled mightily in their first eight games.
Could Ben miss either of the two contests?
Possibly, though this is likely just another case of him being a “Drama Queen” and stirring up controversy where there really is none.
