On Saturday, June 9, 2012, Pittsburgh Steelers QB, Ben Roethlisberger, and his wife Ashley announced through Ben's facebook page that they were going to have a son "later this year." Since they know the gender, it is likely that Ashley is at least 18-20 weeks along in her pregnancy. That would put the birth of young Roethlisberger (Little Ben?) some time in late October or early November - right in the heart of the Pittsburgh Steelers' season. Should Ben Roethlisberger miss a game or two to be involved with the birth? As a fan and a father of three, I say yes.

Family Over Football

Ben said, "obviously, family is very important to me." I agree that it is important -- more important than his job as quarterback. I expect he will fight to not miss any games. However, Ben should plan to be at his son's birth, even if it happens on game day. With just 16 regular season games, every NFL game matters. Just one extra loss can push a team out of the playoffs or out of home field during the playoffs. However, his son's birth will only come once. No amount of video, audio, or retelling can replace being there. Ashley will want Ben's love and support in those first tiring and trying days. Ben dreams about holding his son at a Super Bowl, but to be a super dad, he should be there for the birth - no matter what.

Astute readers might accuse me of hypocrisy on this issue. We rescheduled the birth of our third child around the Steelers' last Super Bowl in 2011. Were we choosing football over family? No. We changed our check-in time so that labor could proceed during the game. However, we both knew that the baby's needs would come first. If needed, we could just turn off the game to focus on what was more important. By the end of that game we were ready to turn it off, anyway.

Next Man Up

The Steelers should be planning ahead, too. Their schedule around the birth time includes at the Cincinnati Bengals (October 21), vs the Washington Redskins (October 28), at the New York Giants (November 4) and vs the Kansas City Chiefs (November 12). The Bengals and Giants should prove to be tough, road opponents if Ben doesn't play. But this is where Mike Tomlin's "next man up" team philosophy needs to kick in. The Steelers should expect and even encourage Ben to be with his family. And they should get their backup QBs ready for action.

While I am encouraging Ben to miss a game or two, I am not excited about the backup QB situation. The Steelers brought back Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich to be the backup QBs. Batch has been a fan favorite, but his game is weakening. He is accurate and decisive with short to medium throws, but he can't stretch the field. Leftwich has a rocket right arm, but broke his left arm last year in preseason. With protection during his long wind-up, he can be somewhat effective, but rarely spectacular. Troy Smith, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner and former Baltimore Ravens flop, is also in camp, but I doubt he will make the squad. Neither Batch or Leftwich (or Smith) will scare opponents. Roethlisberger is unique and indispensable to the offense. When he is out, the rest of the Steelers will have to pick up the slack. Ben should give them that opportunity and be where he is most indispensable -- with his family.

Sean Durity is the father of three and a Terrible Towel twirling Steelers fan living in Atlanta. He grew up cheering the 1970s dynasty and appreciates the organization's continued excellence even more as an adult. Follow him on Twitter @SeanDurity

More from this contributor:

My wife and I reschedule our third child's birth

2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule: A Fan's First Reaction

Marriage Advice - the $50 Rule

SOURCES

"Roethlisberger, Wife 'Really Excited' For New Baby" KDKA CBS Pittsburgh

Marc Sessler, "Troy Smith opens Steelers tenure with jab at Browns"