Ben Roethlisberger says he'd let his son play football 'if he wanted to'

Intrepid reporters will ask multiple players the same larger topic question, conducting something of an unofficial poll based on the responses.

Athletes are probably bothered by it, but it's part of their jobs.

All of them - or at least the leaders and the outspoken ones - should expect to be asked whether they would allow their sons to play football.

As Post-Gazette reporter Nick Veronica wrote in Tuesday's edition, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and former Jets linebacker Bart Scott have said recently they'd have issues with their sons playing football. Veronica interviewed Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his family in regards to a story he was doing on Roethlisberger at his Football ProCamp, with Ben Jr. in attendance.

Says Big Ben, if Ben Junior wants to play, it's fine with him.

The only question is which position he'll play. That question didn't appear to have been asked, so maybe it's not THE question, but certainly one of intrigue, considering the amount of hits Roethlisberger has taken in his career.

A wide receiver in high school before his senior year (when he moved to quarterback) Roethlisberger was also an outstanding basketball player. While knee injuries are a near certainty among high-level hoops stars, the threat of head injuries is substantially reduced on the hardwood.

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana was once asked if he wanted his sons to play football, and he said "not if he can swing a golf club."

Nate Montana attended four different colleges since 2008 and went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. He had a tryout with the San Francisco 49ers, but it doesn't seem he's in the team's future plans.

Certainly, not everyone can be Joe Montana. Can Ben Jr. be like his dad?

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