Ex-Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. goes after Ben Roethlisberger as a teammate and a person

Rob Joesbury, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Feb 11, 2026

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — Let the war of words begin.

Joey Porter Sr. recently co-hosted Cam Heyward's podcast, and when the conversation turned to ex-Steelers being critical of former coach Mike Tomlin, the former Steelers linebacker didn't hold back on Ben Roethlisberger (aka "Seven").

"Seven definitely broke the brotherhood, because the [expletive] that Seven do, that did, that we don't talk about is crazy," Porter said. "Like, out of anybody [that] should talk, he should never grab a microphone and really talk Steeler business. Because if we're talking Steeler business, his ass is foul of all foul. Like, the [expletive] that he's did is foul of all foul."

Porter added: "He's not a good teammate. Won a Super Bowl with him. But the person, he's just not a good teammate. Like, he knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that. But we protected him, because I've only won one Super Bowl and that was my quarterback."

Porter and Roethlisberger were teammates for three seasons from 2004-06, winning that Super Bowl together after the 2005 season. Porter was also a defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach for the Steelers from 2014-18, during the second half of Roethlisberger's career.

Heyward welcomed Porter as a guest host for an episode of his "Not Just Football" podcast that was recorded on Radio Row during Super Bowl week. Porter's comments about Roethlisberger quickly drew attention once the podcast was posted Tuesday morning.

Heyward and Porter noted that James Harrison also commented on Tomlin's departure as coach. But Porter, known for his fiery demeanor as a coach and player, homed in on Roethlisberger's character. (Both Porter and Roethlisberger have had their run-ins with the law in the past.)

"So do I love my quarterback?" Porter said of the retired Steelers quarterback. "Yeah. But is he a good person? No."

Like Heyward, Roethlisberger has his own podcast.

Your turn, Ben.