Roethlisberger blames beard for heavier appearance

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks his beard is giving the illusion that he's packed on the pounds.

Big Ben addressed fans' comments about him being overweight in a recent interview with Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, explaining he's been working out more than usual this offseason.

"I've heard people say I'm fat, and that just blows my mind," he said. "I'm lighter and in better shape than I was in either of the past two years. I haven't stopped working out. I normally don't work out in the offseason, but I've been doing everything five days a week with my trainer. Cardio twice a week. Legs twice a week. Upper body twice a week ...

"I guess it's my beard that makes me look heavier. I must have five pounds in that, I know. But I'm not overweight."

Roethlisberger said he plans to keep the beard for at least another month.

"When we were flying to Los Angeles for my surgery, I told my wife I wasn't going to shave my beard or cut my hair until I can throw an NFL-caliber pass again," he said. "She can't wait. She's ready for it to come off. Maybe in another month or two."

Roethlisberger appeared in two games last season before undergoing elbow surgery. He said in February that he was two-to-three months away from being fully cleared.