Roethlisberger's suspension reduced to four games

When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell initially handed down a six-game suspension to Ben Roethlisberger in April for violating the league's personal- conduct policy, he offered him a chance to reduce the severity of the penalty if he adhered to strict guidelines.

Goodell announced Friday that the Steelers quarterback has met the league's behavioral standards and reduced the sanction to four games.

Roethlisberger was suspended in the wake of being accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student after a night of drinking at a Milledgeville, Ga., bar in March. Roethlisberger was not charged by Georgia authorities but was disciplined by Goodell. He is the first player suspended by Goodell under the NFL's personal-conduct policy who was not arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime.

Roethlisberger, who met Friday with Goodell and was accompanied by team president Art Rooney, can return Oct. 17 against the Browns. In the meantime, he cannot be in contact with any member of the Steelers organization.

In a letter to Roethlisberger, Goodell wrote, "You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions. Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment."

Roethlisberger, in a statement, said, "I have learned a lot over the past several months about myself as a person. I am committed to continuing on this path of being the type of person my family raised me to be, and exceeding what is expected of me as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Roethlisberger met with Goodell last month at the team's training camp and the commissioner said he was encouraged by Roethlisberger's progress.