Former Steelers Sound Off on Ben Roethlisberger: Joey Porter Sr. Criticizes, David DeCastro Defends

Super Bowl week is always full of headlines, but this year, one of the louder echoes out of Pittsburgh came from someone who once wore the black and gold with pride – and fire. Former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. didn’t hold back when talking about his former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

“He’s not a good teammate,” Porter said bluntly. “Won a Super Bowl with him, but the person?

He’s just not a good teammate. 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.

So do I love my quarterback? Yeah.

But is he a good person? No.”

That’s a strong statement – especially coming from a guy who lined up with Roethlisberger during some of Pittsburgh’s most hard-nosed, competitive years. Porter’s words cut deep, not just because of the criticism, but because of the context.

This wasn’t a random jab. This was a former captain speaking about a fellow champion.

But the story didn’t end there.

On Monday, another former Steeler – and one who spent nearly a decade protecting Roethlisberger – offered a very different perspective. David DeCastro, the six-time Pro Bowl guard, joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and made it clear: his experience with Big Ben was nothing like what Porter described.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” DeCastro said. “I guess, you know, negativity seems to sell these days.

But, you know, I loved playing with Ben – for Ben, protecting him. You know, it was a big task.

I just loved his energy.”

DeCastro didn’t just talk about Roethlisberger’s competitiveness – he painted a picture of it. Whether it was darts, pool, or a game of H.O.R.S.E., Roethlisberger brought the same fire he showed on Sundays.

And in the huddle? According to DeCastro, he was the emotional engine.

“He’s the guy when you get in the huddle, he’s got the energy,” DeCastro said. “He does the head tap before the games, the pregame thing, go around tap everyone’s head. . . .

You miss getting those juices flowing and, you know, having a guy like that. That’s what you need as a quarterback.

That energy, that will, that want to win. It was contagious, and I took a lot of pride in protecting a Hall of Fame quarterback.”

What we’re seeing here is a classic case of two players with very different takeaways from their time with the same teammate. Porter’s comments reflect a more personal, perhaps strained relationship with Roethlisberger. DeCastro, meanwhile, speaks to the on-field leadership and competitive drive that helped define Roethlisberger’s career.

And let’s not forget – this isn’t the first time a former Steeler has publicly criticized Roethlisberger. There’s been a steady trickle of former teammates who’ve taken issue with his leadership style or locker room presence. But DeCastro’s defense reminds us that the full picture is more complicated.

As the years go by and Roethlisberger moves closer to Hall of Fame eligibility in 2027, these kinds of conversations may start to carry more weight. Voters don’t just look at stats and Super Bowl rings – they consider legacy, leadership, and impact on the locker room. If his candidacy ever comes down to intangibles, this debate could resurface.

For now, though, it’s a reminder of the layered nature of NFL locker rooms. You can win together, bleed together, celebrate together – and still walk away with very different stories.