The leadership of Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been called into question recently. This is due to the comments of disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown. Much of the criticism has come from the national media and talking heads who never played with or coached Roethlisberger.
But one former coach of Roethlisberger has a very different perspective on his leadership and said as much well ahead of this latest situation. Former Steelers’ offensive coordinator Bruce Arians wrote this about Roethlisberger’s leadership in his 2017 book, The Quarterback Whisperer.
Arians has coached some great quarterbacks but when it came to leadership, Roethlisberger was his pick. The distinction being made incorrectly in all this discussion is how there is some sort of requirement for a player to be a great leader they must be well-liked. Roethlisberger can be a great leader without having his teammates like his. They should respect him but he’s trying to win games not win new friends.
