Four-time Super-Bowl-winning running back Rocky Bleier made headlines recently, blasting the current Steelers organization and not-so-subtly calling for major changes.
“I’m done. They have ripped my heart out," Bleier said via Facebook. "With the talent they have, how can they lose three out of the last four games in the manner that they did? … It’s not about a referee or an injury. It’s about overcoming obstacles. If you don’t, then fingers need to be pointed.”
The criticisms were heard around the globe — and inside the Steelers' locker room.
Speaking with media Wednesday at the Rooney Complex, Ben Roethlisberger reacted to Bleier's comments, beginning by saying the frustrations are felt by fans everywhere.
"We want to win for the fans," Roethlisberger said. "We want to win for each other, for the fans all over the world. Because we got the best fans. You saw it in Oakland. All those Steeler fans that were there, we want to win for them."
Then, Roethlisberger turned his attention to Bleier specifically.
“So when former players come out that have paved the way for us, they’re entitled to say what they want," Roethlisberger said. "There’s nothing wrong with that. As a family — we consider Rocky family — we would hope he wouldn’t say those things, but he’s obviously entitled to it. We understand where the frustration comes from."