Joey Porter Says Ben Roethlisberger Was Not a Good Teammate

Joey Porter, who played with Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers, recently said on a podcast that Roethlisberger was not a good teammate or person. Porter also talked about why he felt this way and defended coach Mike Tomlin.
By Newsroom | NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers |

Joey Porter, a former teammate and coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has publicly stated that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was not a good teammate or person during his time with the team. These remarks were made on a podcast during Super Bowl week and have drawn attention due to the history between the two players, including a Super Bowl win together.

Context and Timeline

  • Super Bowl Week: The public statements by Joey Porter about Ben Roethlisberger were made during a podcast recorded around the time of the Super Bowl.

  • Podcast Appearance: Porter was a guest on the "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast.

  • Timing: The comments were published across various sports news outlets starting around February 11, 2026.

  • Relationship: Porter and Roethlisberger were teammates on the Steelers for three years, including their Super Bowl XL victory. Porter later served as an assistant coach for the team.

Porter's Allegations

Joey Porter's primary criticisms of Ben Roethlisberger revolve around his conduct as a teammate and his character.

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Porter: Roethlisberger 'not a good teammate' - 1

  • Teammate and Person: Porter explicitly stated that Roethlisberger was "not a good teammate" and "not a good person."

  • "Foul" Actions: Porter used strong language to describe Roethlisberger's past actions, calling them "foul of all foul."

  • Captaincy: Porter suggested that Roethlisberger was made a team captain without being voted in by his peers, implying that teammates would not have selected him. He posited that if Roethlisberger had not been given the "C" (captain's designation), he "would probably have a hissy fit."

  • Respect and Discussion: Porter indicated that he believes the Steelers organization and players do not respect Roethlisberger, and therefore, he should not speak on the team's affairs.

Defense of Mike Tomlin

Porter's comments were also framed within a broader discussion about former coach Mike Tomlin. Porter expressed his disapproval of comments made by both Roethlisberger and former Steelers linebacker James Harrison regarding Tomlin.

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Porter: Roethlisberger 'not a good teammate' - 2

  • Criticism of Criticism: Porter stated that he was not a fan of how critical both Harrison and Roethlisberger were of Mike Tomlin, particularly after Tomlin stepped down from his coaching position after 19 seasons.

  • Teammate Silence: Notably, current players like Cameron Heyward, who played with Roethlisberger for 11 seasons, were described as being "conspicuously quiet" during Porter's remarks.

Roethlisberger's Past Comments

The context for Porter's strong statements may also stem from Roethlisberger's own recent public commentary on the Steelers.

Porter: Roethlisberger 'not a good teammate' - 3

  • "Clean House" Remark: In December, Roethlisberger suggested that the Steelers organization needed to "clean house" and move on from his former coach, Mike Tomlin.

  • Backtracking: Some reports suggest Roethlisberger later softened or "backtracked" on his comments regarding the team's leadership.

Expert Analysis

The situation highlights ongoing discussions and differing perspectives on Ben Roethlisberger's legacy and conduct during his NFL career.

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"Ben Roethlisberger wasn't a good teammate or person. The s—- that he did is foul of all foul."- Joey Porter Sr.

"Like, you're a rookie, you're a young guy. Yeah, but is he a good person? Because if we talk Steelers business, his a— is foul of all foul."- Joey Porter Sr.

"Porter expressed he wasn't a fan of how critical both James Harrison and Roethlisberger were of Tomlin as the veteran coach stepped down from his post after 19 seasons."Source: USA Today

Conclusion

Joey Porter has levied serious accusations against his former teammate Ben Roethlisberger, characterizing him as a poor teammate and person. These comments, made during a podcast appearance, appear to be fueled by past grievances and a defense of former coach Mike Tomlin. The specific nature of Roethlisberger's alleged "foul" actions remains unspecified in the available reports, beyond Porter's assertion about captaincy. The public airing of these criticisms adds another layer to the narrative surrounding Roethlisberger's time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Joey Porter say about Ben Roethlisberger?
Joey Porter said that Ben Roethlisberger was not a good teammate and not a good person. He also said Roethlisberger's past actions were very bad.
Q: When did Joey Porter say this?
Joey Porter said this recently on a podcast called "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward." This happened around Super Bowl week.
Q: Why did Joey Porter say this?
Porter was unhappy with comments made by Roethlisberger and James Harrison about coach Mike Tomlin. He felt Roethlisberger did not deserve respect from the team.
Q: Did other players comment?
Current players like Cameron Heyward, who played with Roethlisberger, were quiet when Porter made his comments.