Hines Ward calls out Ben...

[steeljake]

I don't know what to make of this, but it can't be good...

http://www.nbc.com/news-sports/nbc-sports/ward-questions-big-bens-toughness/

[Bmore]

oh noes, trouble on the inside!

[celtsxpatsxsox]

Didn't Big Ben want to play but Tomlin didn't want him too? So shouldn't Ward be calling out the doctors and Tomlin? Either way I thought it was a good idea that they kept him out. Shouldn't mess round with head injuries.

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

Didn't Big Ben want to play but Tomlin didn't want him too? So shouldn't Ward be calling out the doctors and Tomlin? Either way I thought it was a good idea that they kept him out. Shouldn't mess round with head injuries.

Yeah, and he was geared up ready to play on the sidelines. Had things gotten bad early today he would have played. It didn't look to me like Ben wasn't ready to go. Then again Hines has a better vantage point than I do, being that he's teammates with him.

[EmpireWF]

I skimmed through it and didn't take away anything major.

Ward said that some guys in the locker room didn't understand why Big Ben wasn't going to play. I'm sure several players would feel that way after having your franchise QB pulled in the final 48 hours before a big game with a rival.

Ward didn't exactly say Ben was a pussy. I doubt any of those players would.

Ben didn't play because Doctor's didn't clear him. There was no chance he would have played.

[Tailback U]

Is there a chance that the Doctors didn't actually clear Ben and they are just using that as an excuse so Ben doesn't take criticism for actually wanting to sit out?

I do think it's a little weird how Ben was ruled out less than 48 hours before the game. With concussions, they usually rule them out a little bit earlier, and if not then it's usually a case like Kurt Warner's today where he was ruled out because he woke up with a sore neck or is having some sort of pain or concussion like symptoms.

All week they were saying Ben feels fine and has been cognitively responsive and that he would play, then all of a sudden he doesn't and the only explanation they gave was that it was actually Tomlin's decision. Which leads me to believe the final call was up to Tomlin or Ben.

[dave]

Ward's comments are exactly why these decisions should be taken out of players' hands.

Talk to Baltimore Colts great John Mackey and ask him if playing with concussions is heroic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mackey_%28American_football%29

[Hasselbeck]

Let me take this opportunity to just say..

Fuck Hines Ward.

[Deviant]

I really didn't hear a call out. I feel that the video is inappropriately titled. If he was calling him out, he did so indirectly. He did say that guys have played through a concussion before, but he said it was hard to call. Roethlisberger should never have his toughness questioned. He takes a ton of hits, damn near 50 sacks a year, and still goes out and even tries to take out defenders for blocks.

[Derrville]

If Ward is calling out Ben then hes lost his damn mind. Dudes one of the toughest QBs to play the position in the last 20 years or so and hes won him 2 Super Bowls. The seasons not over, you live to fight another day. No reason to risk his future health and the rest of the season on one game.

[Tengo Juego]

I thought Ben was forced to sit out? i.e. not getting medical clearance.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Not really a Big Ben fan, but anyone who questions that mans toughness is a flat out MORON.

[Mogriffjr]

pretty much Ward thinks he shoulda "lied" to get into the game...

[Senser81]

Not really a Big Ben fan, but anyone who questions that mans toughness is a flat out MORON.

I've been away from the site for the past few days, but I don't remember you questioning Roethlisberger's toughness.

[steeljake]

holmes added his voice to ward's after the game saying that since he practiced they thought he should have played. as far i have heard he was held out by the doctors after experiencing head aches after practice on wednesday and thursday.

i think we would have won with him in, but it is not like we didnt have a shot to win it anyways. I just hope this doesnt create a break in the team mentality that has driven the steelers for so long. here is when we find out if tomlin can handle his players.