By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger reportedly told WWE he would only accept their offer to guest host WWE Raw if he could bring his offensive linemen to the show.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published two stories for today's newspaper focusing on the tight bond between Roethlisberger and his linemen, who are paid to protect him as the team's quarterback.

"They (WWE) came to him (Roethlisberger) with the opportunity, and he said the only way he would do it is if we were involved," right tackle Willie Colon said. "He asked us, and we all said, 'yeah.'"

Colon added that Roethlisberger and his linemen typically have card night on Monday nights to get away from football and work on their bond that's important during the NFL season. Roethlisberger wasn't going to take any excuses for not going with him to Raw.

"It had to be a really good excuse," said lineman Max Starks. "A baby had to be born. Or somebody had better be in the hospital if you said no."

The full line-up of linemen joining Roethlisberger on Monday night will be Max Starks, Willie Colon, Trai Essex, Justin Hartwig, and Chris Kemoeatu. The group has caught some flack locally for not clearing the appearance with Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff, including head coach Mike Tomlin.

"It is our day off ... so, I don't know, did we have to clear it with Coach?" Kemoeatu said. "I guess if he tells us otherwise. On your day off, you want to get your mind off football and there is stuff like this we can do."

Max Starks added: "It is on a Monday evening, six days away from a game. We have an off day the next day. I don't see how that is considered a distraction."

Links: Tribune-Review story #1 and Tribune-Review story #2.

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