A contrite and subdued Ben Roethlisberger, in a recent interview, said he lost what his true identity was and wasn’t prepared for the amount of fame he received after he helped lead the Steelers at 23 years old to winning the first Super Bowl out of two with Pittsburgh.

In Roethlisberger’s first detailed interview since the NFL suspended him, the 28 year old Roethlisberger told two TV stations in Pittsburgh that he wanted to apologize for his inappropriate behavior.

Roethlisberger said to WTAE-TV, to Steelers fans there are so many things I want to apologize for. For being young, for being dumb, for being immature. I know, in my heart, I have not been the very best person I could be.

In March, a 20 year old woman from Georgia charged that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her. A prosecutor didn’t charger Roethlisberger, stating there wasn’t enough evidence. However Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, suspended Pittsburgh’s quarterback for six games due to his violation of the personal conduct policy of the NFL.

Georgia police on Wednesday released an interview on video with the accuser of Roethlisberger. She claimed Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her inside a nightclub bathroom.

In the past Roethlisberger has admitted to behaving irresponsibly. However his attorney maintained in the case in Georgia that he was innocent. Roethlisberger was the first round pick for the Steelers in 2004. The following year he led Pittsburgh to the first Super Bowl title of two in four seasons. He says he wasn’t mature enough to handle his responsibilities off the field as his successes on the field grew.

Roethlisberger said, I didn’t know really what to expect when I got here. I was like a kid lost in the big city. When I was on the field I was “Big Ben.” When I wasn’t playing I still was Ben Roethlisberger.

However after his team won a Super Bowl, he wasn’t able to distinguish his true self from the “Big Ben” adored by the fans.

I got carried away with being “Big Ben.” I lost track with who I really am. I’m not proud of that.

At the beginning of the season Roethlisberger will be suspended for four games. However Goodell did say he might consider shaving off two games if Roethlisberger follows his behavioral improvement plan. However he said as well that he should consider making the ban longer if Roethlisberger didn’t show any improvement.

Roethlisberger has said he would like to become a better role model, becoming as good off field as on.

I’ve made lots of mistakes, so I owe the fans. I am very sorry with all my heart, if I have wronged just one fan. Truly I am very sorry. I will do everything I can not to let that happen ever again.

Somewhere buried towards the end of the column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers quarterback, was a prediction that was straightforward. The prediction was that Roethlisberger would be replaced by Bryon Leftwich during his ban of 4 to 6 games.

Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette wrote that it’s obvious that Byron Leftwich will be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback to open the season.

Leftwich has an edge on Dennis Dixon, his competitor, in terms of arm strength and experience. In addition Byron took most of the OTA first reps before Big Ben was reinstated to the offseason workouts.

Still, it’s quite surprising that Dixon didn’t get a fair shake. The offensive line of the Steelers isn’t known for great pass protection. The superior mobility of Dixon’s would seem to make him fit better with the slow front five of the Steelers. Leftwich’s delivery is probably the slowest of all quarterbacks in the NFL.

Last season in his spot start in Week 12 Dixon didn’t embarrass himself while Roethlisberger was out recovering from a concussion. Dixon, faced with odds that were almost impossible in Baltimore, accounted for both of the touchdowns scored by Pittsburgh (one passing, one rushing) in the Steelers 20-17 loss.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is taking a conservative approach. When you consider the injury history of Leftwich, though, there’s still a good chance that Dixon will see some playing time early in the season before Roethlisberger returns.