Big Ben confirms engagement, to wed in July

Humphrey/AP

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is set to marry Ashley Harlan in July.

Big Ben is going to the chapel.

After months of speculation about Ben Roethlisberger's love life, the Pittsburgh quarterback confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he's tying the knot with his longtime on-and-off again girlfriend, Ashley Harlan.

Despite longstanding rumors of the quarterback's promiscuity and allegations of sexual misconduct at an Atlanta club last year, the duo's love is nothing new, he insisted.

"We were kind of on and off again for five years ? almost six years now ? so I've known her awhile," he told the newspaper of Harlan, whom he met while saying hello to fans at training camp in 2005. "It's not like a random new person. We dated awhile ago; we have been friends ever since."

News that the two were engaged began leaking out in January, but it was not clear when Roethlisberger popped the question. The two, he said, planned on getting married on July 23.

But that wasn't the only shocking piece of news from the QB.

The two, he said, aren't living together because of religious reasons. Harlan, a 27-year-old physician's assistant, lives with her parents who have become bombarded with media since news of the pending nuptials leaked out.

"I understand it's going to happen a little bit, but I'm still going to try to be very protective of the people I love - my family, my sister, my aunts, uncles, grandparents and now her," he told the newspaper. "I try to be very protective of them because I don't want her to have to be scrutinized over every little thing she does."

The wedding also gives Roethlisberger a reason to hope that the impending lockout continues. If the players and owners can't come to an agreement before the start of the season, Roethlisberger pointed out that he will get a longer honeymoon with his new bride.

He just wants a week.

"I told her I was laughing with coach [Mike] Tomlin; he said 'You guys might have to have the honeymoon suite at Saint Vincent (the Steelers' training camp facility).' "

nmandell@nydailynews.com

Veronika Vaeková K. D. Aubert Scarlett Chorvat Aubrey ODay Alessandra Ambrosio