Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello reports via Twitter.
The ban is expected to be announced later on Wednesday by commissioner Roger Goodell, who met with Roethlisberger last week. Roethlisberger escaped criminal charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault in a Georgia bar, but the incident shed negative light on the league and the Steelers organization, in the minds of Goodell and the team’s ownership.
Roethlisberger’s suspension will be conditional, and could be shortened by two games, depending on the 28-year-old signal-caller’s behavior going forward. Roethlisberger will be required to "undergo comprehensive behavioral evaluation" as part of his bid for reinstatement.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that the Steelers are still deciding whether to trade Roethlisberger, who led the organization to two Super Bowl titles but now has brought significant shame and alienated the fan base.
A trade most likely would occur before or during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, because the Steelers are expected to ask for a team’s No. 1 pick, in addition to other selections, for Roethlisberger.
