If you want to make lots of money selling “Big Ben’s Beef Jerky” you’re going to have to behave like a gentleman, Mr. Roethlisberger. Today the owner of Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, Inc., said he was terminating his five-year business relationship with the Steelers’ QB.

The decision comes as the quarterback is meeting with the commissioner of the NFL to discuss a possible suspension after a Georgia district attorney announced that they would drop sexual assault charges.

“We’ve made a lot of money together,” the company owner said in a telephone interview with the NYT. “I’m leaving a lot on the table by terminating this contract. Even though there were no criminal charges, there are just enough issues here that it’s in the best interests of PLB Sports to break ties.”

“I can’t imagine anyone touching Ben Roethlisberger,” he continued. “Enough is enough. I hope there is a suspension. At some point in time, Ben has got to put himself in the right position and understand what it means to be a celebrity, a quarterback, a Steelers player.”

Meanwhile, Terry Bradshaw just put a nail in the PR coffin by announcing that he is learning not to like Big Ben.

“Our relationship is not any good,” Bradshaw told reporters, according to a video linked from http://www.ktbs.com . “When I told him to park the motorcycle, he got pissed. Then he had the accident, and since then he doesn’t like me, and I’m learning not to like him.”

Then later to FoxSports:

“Ben has been unhappy with me ever since I told him to park the bike. Then, when he had the accident, everyone told him that, ‘See, Terry was right about that motorcycle.’ He doesn’t like me. The last time I was around him he wouldn’t even shake my hand.”

Anyway we can’t wait for the next creepy Nike commercial. Maybe Bradshaw can do the voice-over. What did you learn, Ben?

Bradshaw on Big Ben: “I’m learning not to like him” [Fox Sports]
Ben Roethlisberger, ‘You Can Do Better,’ District Attorney Says [ABC]
Pittsburgh Company Cuts Ties with Roethlisberger [NYT]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.