Roethlisberger's Suspension Reduced From 6 To 4 Games

Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been cut from six games to four by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' star quarterback met with Goodell early Friday in New Jersey and was told he could return on Oct. 17 against Cleveland.

Roethlisberger was suspended in April for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but Goodell said at the time he would review the player's behavior over the next few months. Goodell was satisfied that the quarterback has followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble.

Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.

The league said the "reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the personal conduct policy."

"You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions," Goodell said in a letter to Roethlisberger. "Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment."

Roethlisberger's Suspension Reduced From 6 To 4 Games

Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the NFL's personal conduct policy who was not arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime. However, Goodell said in April the policy allows him to impose such a penalty when the league's integrity and reputation are at stake.

Roethlisberger's representatives at one point wanted the suspension cut in half, to three games, but Goodell stipulated in April it would be a six-game ban that could only be reduced to four games.

Steelers president Art Rooney accompanied Roethlisberger on his trip to see Goodell, a meeting that took place in New Jersey.

Rooney and his organization kept in frequent contact with Goodell throughout the four-month process, during which Roethlisberger underwent extensive evaluations.

Indeed, Goodell's ruling was made in consultation with Rooney and the Steelers, who were angered by the two-time Super Bowl winner's behavior and would have punished him if the league hadn't.

"Commissioner Goodell informed us today that Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been reduced to four games,"

Rooney said. "Ben has done a good job this summer of growing as the person that he needs to be, both on and off the field. I am confident that Ben is committed to continuing in this positive direction. As a team, our focus is now on preparing for the regular season and getting off to a good start on opening weekend."

Former Steelers quarterback and NFL star Terry Bradshaw talked about Roethlisberger's suspension with the Shreveport Times, and the article includes the following quote:

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

Roethlisberger and Goodell met last month at the team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa. At that time, Goodell said he was encouraged by the progress Roethlisberger was making and promised to make his decision on the term of the suspension before the regular season began.

Goodell kept his word Friday.

While he is out, Roethlisberger can't practice with the Steelers, nor can he attend games or represent the team publicly in any way. He can't have contact with any member of the coaching staff or football operations personnel.

Roethlisberger plans to work with a California-based quarterbacks coach, George Whitfield, and he'll throw to some free-agent receivers who are looking for work in the league.

The Steelers re-signed Byron Leftwich and planned to start him in Roethlisberger's absence. But Leftwich hurt his left knee in Thursday night's exhibition finale against Carolina. Depending on the extent of the injury, Pittsburgh could be down to Dennis Dixon and veteran Charlie Batch while

Roethlisberger is suspended, and would certainly need to add another QB.

Pittsburgh hosts Atlanta, plays at Tennessee and Tampa Bay and then hosts division rival Baltimore before an Oct. 10 bye. Roethlisberger can begin practicing with the Steelers on Oct. 4.

Roethlisberger also is being sued in Nevada by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her there in 2008. No charges were brought in that case, and it did not figure in the NFL's suspension.

Previous Stories: August 30, 2010: Big Ben's Day A Quick One, What About Suspension? August 30, 2010: Steelers Lose To Denver; Big Ben To Meet With Goodell Friday August 25, 2010: Cowher: Steelers' Roethlisberger Finally Showing Maturity August 21, 2010: Roethlisberger Starts Against Giants; Steelers Win 24-17 July 31, 2010: Roethlisberger Hears Cheers From The Fans July 30, 2010: Big Steelers Linemen, QB Roethlisberger Drive Small MINI Coopers To Camp July 29, 2010: Roethlisberger Not Steelers' Only Camp Worry July 13, 2010: Police Rule No Crime Committed In Roethlisberger Golf Incident June 21, 2010: Forbes.com: Roethlisberger One Of Most Disliked People In Sports June 10, 2010: Ben Roethlisberger's Accuser Said She Feared His Temper June 9, 2010: Lawyer: DVDs Prove Roethlisberger Bodyguard Did Nothing Wrong June 4, 2010: Roethlisberger Breaks Silence, Will 'Be Smarter When It Comes To Certain Things' June 2, 2010: Golfer Natalie Gulbis Talks Ex-Boyfriend Roethlisberger Before Oakmont Practice June 2, 2010: Slimmer Roethlisberger Returns To Practice; Teammates ‘Excited To Move Forward’ May 26, 2010: Goodell: Roethlisberger Review Coming Within Week May 25, 2010: New T-Shirts Take Aim At Steelers' Roethlisberger May 18, 2010: Life Without Roethlisberger: Steelers Search For Temporary QB May 17, 2010: Roethlisberger Participates In Teammates' Golf Tourney May 12, 2010: Trooper Appeals Ban On Working For Steelers' Roethlisberger May 6, 2010: Wexford Bar Owner, Fans React To Roethlisberger Sports Illustrated Article May 4, 2010: TMZ: Congressman Says Big Ben 'Is An Idiot' May 4, 2010: Coraopolis Officials Could Discipline Officer In Roethlisberger Case May 3, 2010: Report: Behavioral Doctors Evaluate Roethlisberger April 30, 2010: Steelers' Polamalu Talks To WPXI About Roethlisberger April 29, 2010: Eminem References Roethlisberger In New Rap Song April 27, 2010: Wecht: Could Roethlisberger's Concussions Be Blamed For His Actions? April 23, 2010: Will Roethlisberger Remain In Pittsburgh? April 17, 2010: Former Coach Bill Cowher Comments On Roethlisberger April 16, 2010: Channel 11 Speaks With Attorney Of One Of Roethlisberger's Bodyguards April 16, 2010: Accuser: Roethlisberger Made 'Crude Sexual Remarks' April 16, 2010: ESPN: Steelers Will Be Fined For Roethlisberger's Actions April 16, 2010: Rooney: Steelers Ready To Punish Roethlisberger Now April 15, 2010: Target 11 Gets Roethlisberger's Georgia Accuser's Story April 15, 2010: NFL.com: Steelers Open To Roethlisberger Trade Offers April 15, 2010: Georgia Officer Photographed With Roethlisberger Resigns April 15, 2010: D.A. Details Roethlisberger's Entourage Night Woman Claimed Sexual Assault April 13, 2010: 'Big Ben Beef Jerky' Sponsor Cuts Ties With Roethlisberger April 13, 2010: Lawyer: 2nd Roethlisberger Nevada Incident Investigated April 7, 2010: DA Gets Roethlisberger Case; 2nd Interview Never Happened March 26, 2010: Report: Manager Told By Accuser's Friend She Was In Bathroom With Roethlisberger March 23, 2010: NFL Commissioner To Meet With Roethlisberger March 22, 2010: Tomlin Speaks Out On Roethlisberger Ordeal March 19, 2010: Steelers' Rooney: Wait And See On Roethlisberger Concern March 17, 2010: Georgia Officials Want To Talk To Roethlisberger's Other Accuser March 15, 2010: New Questions Surrounding Roethlisberger's Security March 12, 2010: Exclusive: Rick Earle Interviews Lead Investigator In Roethlisberger Case March 12, 2010: Attorney For Off-Duty Officer With Roethlisberger Talks To WPXI March 11, 2010: Maker Of 'Big Ben's Beef Jerky' Concerned About Allegations March 9, 2010: Roethlisberger Accuser Drops Out Of College, TMZ Reports March 8, 2010: Roethlisberger's Attorney: 'No Sexual Assault Occurred'

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