The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback responded “Hopefully, it’s golf,” when asked in a radio interview about the sports his kids might play—leading to a flurry of headlines and viral discussions of the merits of the sport for children versus football and other less-safe alternatives.
When asked during a recent interview on The Dan Patrick (radio/TV) Show if he would let his kids play football, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger responded: “If they want to; I’m not going to tell them they can’t. I will encourage my kids to do whatever they want to do and love to do, and I’ll help them with whatever it is.”
Roethlisberger then finished his answer by adding “Hopefully it’s golf, though”—and that quote became instant headline material for a flurry of headlines and viral reports that trumpeted his response as an indication that even a potential Hall of Fame player might think golf is a better game for children than football or other alternatives.
The excitement over Roethlisberger’s comment also cited his response to another question, about his expectation to eventually have knee replacements, as further proof of his belief that golf is a better and safer game. Roethlisberger told Patrick that football has taken a toll on his knees and that he expects to need to have replacements installed in about “20 years.”
“I hope it’s just an outpatient surgery, like going to the dentist,” he added. “I’m hoping we get that far that fast.”
Roethlisberger is an avid golfer who frequently plays with fellow athletes and celebrities, including President-elect Donald Trump.
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