Most Pittsburgh Steelers fans as well as teammates welcomed the news that National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is pleased with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's progress in resolving the personal-conduct issues that have resulted in a suspension for at least the first four games — possibly as many as the first six games — in the upcoming regular season.

But while there's hope in Steeler Nation that Goodell will opt for the lesser suspension, although, all considered, Roethlisberger deserves the harsher one, the quarterback and his fans should continue to ponder what good the star quarterback could have done if he had not allowed his life to start spinning out of control — and if arrogance and vulgar conduct had not replaced the kind of fan-oriented conduct that most people expect of their sports heroes.

Roethlisberger's conduct on March 5 in Milledgeville, Ga., where he was accused of, but not formally charged with, sexually assaulting a college student, was far below the level of conduct Steelers fans expect, and the fan anger directed his way was justified.

Perhaps the best thing emanating from the Milledgeville incident is that it has helped reverse his non-flattering off-field behavior.

He has become more fan friendly during the Black and Gold training camp, signing autographs for a half-hour almost daily. Also, according to an Associated Press report, he has made several unpublicized appearances to serve dinners for the Salvation Army and to visit with the families of seriously ill children.

That kind of positive conduct must continue after his suspension, however long it is, is over. It would send a troubling message if all of the good he currently is trying to do would cease once his time in the NFL "doghouse" is over.

Clergymen speak of forgiveness, and Roethlisberger never must forget the warm, enthusiastic reception he received by a crowd estimated at 10,000 when the Steelers opened their training camp last month at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Roethlisberger admitted to wondering whether he ever would regain anything close to his previous support, but it quickly became clear to him that the spirit of forgiveness is alive and well in Pittsburgh.

But he holds the key to whether it continues to be extended his way — and, yes, there still are some fans who remain unforgiving and are waiting to see Roethlisberger's longer-term progress off the playing field, before again becoming enthusiastic about the fact that he is a Steeler.

Still, it was good to hear Goodell on Thursday say that Roethlisberger was going "above and beyond" what the league was asking in the program designed to help him reshape his conduct.