Ben Roethlisberger was suspended four games for violating the personal conduct
Steelers fans will probably despise seeing this one on this list, but it should be one here. Not every part of a team is pretty, and this will always be an underlying bruise to the reputation of the franchise that stuck with Ben Roethlisberger after this issue happened. It was a moment that happened for the club after many years of a “no nonsense” policy that would lead to players being cut immediately.
That policy did not apply here as the franchise finally had a young quarterback that would be able to keep them in contention for years. The black and gold were still in the thick of their Super Bowl contending seasons and needed Roethlisberger at the helm. The allegations from two women during the offseason were hard to hear but those cases would be solved.
The NFL knew that the punishment would need to be swift and harsh, but it could have been tougher on Roethlisberger, so the Steelers were lucky in that aspect. They initially suspended him for six games and went to four after appeal. It was a dark time for the alleged victims and the others involved.
The quarterback went on to find a religious life and become a family man. He changed his image after the event and went on to have a great professional career in the position he played. He will end up in the Hall of Fame someday but that constant shadow from this incident will always linger.