NFL Odds: Ben Roethlisberger Ban Cut to 4 Games

Big Ben had his suspension reduced today. (AP Images)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has cut Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suspension from six games to four.

Big Ben met with the commissioner Friday afternoon to discuss his six-game ban and was told he could return on Oct. 17.  Roethlisberger simply needed to stay out of trouble and make an effort to be a model NFL employee to get his ban reduced.

"I have learned a lot over the past several months about myself as a person," Roethlisberger said in a statement. "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."

The suspension came from  Roethlisberger being accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.

There was also an incident in Lake Tahoe  where Andrea McNulty said she was sexually assaulted by the QB. No charges were filed in that case either.

When Big Ben comes back it should instantly improve their NFL odds in the Bodog Sportsbook.