A leaner version of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed up at Latrobe this year and the 32-year-old and father of two revealed that he feels like a kid himself right now thanks to him working with a personal trainer and a nutritionist this year for the first time in his career.
“My arm is stronger than it’s been in my career, I believe,” Roethlisberger told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Even in [spring] practices and minicamp, the receivers said, ‘Ben, that ball is getting to us a lot quicker, with a lot more spin on it, it feels real good.’ That should translate into better play.”
Roethlisberger also told Bouchette the reasons why he decided to make those changes this offseason in order to keep Father Time at bay.
“I felt like the time is right. That youth wears off. You start getting to 32, it’s time. As your body deteriorates, your natural talents start to go a little bit. You have to bring in physical working out, building, taking protein and doing extra stuff.”
While Roethlisberger refused to reveal his current weight Saturday following the Steelers first training camp practice of the 2014 season, several have him pegged at right around 250 pounds.
“Yeah, I am,” said Roethlisberger when asked if he’s lighter this year.
A stronger arm combined with him being a little bit lighter has Roethlisberger primed for another great season and while word surfaced recently that he won’t receive a contract extension until next offseason, on the surface, he’s not acting like that’s bothering him.
“I’m ready to play football,” he said. “When we get to camp its football time, and that’s what I’m excited about.”
