AskCherlock » Blog Archive » Come On Home Big Ben: The Steelers Need You

Politics-Opinions-Life Issues-Impact!

Come On Home Big Ben: The Steelers Need You

18 April 2010 6 Comments

Over the last several weeks it has been nearly impossible to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television news without hearing the name of Ben Roethlisberger. Most of the reports have speculated on one aspect or another of “Big Ben’s” latest sexual assault accusation. Although the high-profile investigation of Ben’s behavior has been endlessly discussed, the inner workings of the investigation have only now been made public. Based on the documents made available, it is no wonder that the case was closed by the Milledgeville authorities.

: Image by Jeffrey Beall via Flickr

The case turned out to be so shaky (i.e. no DNA, no video evidence, and no eyewitnesses), and the drunken recollections of the accused woman so vague that when investigators from the District Attorney’s Office tried to set up an interview, the woman and her family said they did not want to go forward with the case. Like so many other cases of this nature, it all boiled down to “he said-she said”, combined with the alleged victim’s reluctance to re-live the entire incident on the witness stand in the presence of family, friends, and two hundred million curious onlookers.

As an ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I can tell you I am relieved that the case against Big Ben has been dropped. There is no way that anybody but Ben, and maybe the accusing woman, will ever know the truth of the matter concerning whether a crime really occurred. All we will ever really know is that Ben has been “sowing the wild oats” of his youth for quite some time now, and obviously enjoying it to the maximum. After all, he’s young, single, famous and worth $100 million, or so. This is not a crime. However, there does come a time when the recklessness of youthful behavior must be put aside, especially when it leads time and again to an attitude of entitlement, and a feeling of invulnerability to the laws that govern us all. It is a good thing that the NFL and the Steeler management has taken Ben to the proverbial “woodshed”, and altogether proper that Ben receive a short suspension from playing football. A clear warning shot has been fired across the bow of the SS Roethlisberger.

The Pittsburgh Steeler fans are lucky to have the services of a highly talented quarterback such as Ben Roethlisberger. He may have a certain air of arrogance about him, he may eschew interviews with the press, and he may be reluctant to sign autographs, but he sure can pass and run the football like very few others on the planet Earth. No matter what he does off the field, the Pittsburgh Steeler fans should fully embrace him for what he does on the field. Fortunately for Ben, peoples’ attention is easily diverted, and it won’t be long before another celebrity athlete is in the limelight. When football season rolls around again, I will be cheering loudly for the newly minted 2010-/2011 team, and thanking the “football gods” that Big Ben still plays the game for us.

Rich

2010 NFL Draft: What If Ben Roethlisberger Is Traded For Sam Bradford? (bleacherreport.com)
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger: Roger Goodell talk ‘very productive’ (sports.espn.go.com)

6 Comments »

One of The Guys said:

If this were the first time, or even the second time Ben crossed the line, we might be able to excuse him. Maybe. But this is repeated behavior of someone who is so caught up in the hype of Ben that he thinks he can do anything with no consequences. Karma will catch up to him I’m sure. And the details in this case are quite disturbing.

I’m glad the Steelers organization did something, but it’s not enough. They should release him. Even Terry Bradshaw would agree that Ben needs some major help. The last two superbowls the Steelers have won haven’t been because of Ben. He’s a good quarterback, but he could be replaced with someone with a lot more class, who’s just as good.

# 19 April 2010 at 8:52 am

Carpetbagger said:

I can’t go with you on this one, Rich. I sowed my own share of wild oats in my day, but it never involved getting girls a decade younger than me (and under age) drunk, following them into the bathroom, having offduty cops keep her friends away, and then having her make a trip to the emergency room as a result.

By all accounts, the girl did not go in that bathroom with Ben, as I first assumed. She went there to get away from him and he pursued her. I know she was too drunk to be a valid courtroom witness, but she was not too drunk to say “no.” And Ben didn’t care.

In my mind, either she’s a liar or Ben’s a rapist. I know I’m judging in the court of public opinion, but when a celebrity makes millions of dollars in that court, they will be judged there when they screw up. Personally, I choose to believe the woman (girl) who says she said “No.”

If Ben is QB of the Steelers next year, I will choose to do something else with my time. If he shows true humility and vows to give up alcohol, I could see myself giving him a shot at redemption over time. But I haven’t seen anything close to that, yet.

# 19 April 2010 at 12:21 pm

admin (author) said:

One of the Guys,
Although Ben has engaged in some questionable behavior, he has not been convicted of a crime; just bad judgment. A two or three game suspension may be an appropriate punishment for making the Steelers and the NFL look bad, but to cut him from the team would be punishing all the loyal Steeler fans who love to watch him play. By the way, I disagree that Big Ben wasn’t a major reason why the Steelers won the last two Super Bowls.

# 20 April 2010 at 9:32 am

admin (author) said:

Carpetbagger,
We will never know what really happened in that bar in Georgia. Everyone is willing to convict Big Ben on the basis of a statement made by a drunken woman, who is unwilling to press charges due to lack of evidence. Since when is rumor and innuendo a basis for “hanging someone on the cross”, and when did the court of public opinion determine a man’s fate? Those who rush to judgment should remove the “plank” from their own eye, rather then condemn.
If you decide to boycott the Steelers games because Big Ben is playing, then you will probably miss some good football.

# 20 April 2010 at 9:50 am

Carpetbagger said:

A. We don’t know what happened in the bathroom. But there are several witness statements as to what went on in the bar. (i.e., Ben’s posse inviting girls back, plying them with shots, the victim going into the bathroom, Ben following, his bodyguards blocking the door, etc.) None is gospel truth, and now there will be no trial (unless a civil case is brought) but there are witness accounts in the police record.

B. Choosing to not watch a mabn make tens of millions of dollars playing a game is not the same thing as “hanging him on the cross.” I’m not determining the “man’s fate”, only what I will be doing with my time, which is my right the last time I checked. I know it’s “he said/she said”. Can’t help it, but I believe her. I guess Ben was smart to get her so loaded that she could never be considered a reliable court witness. (By the way, despite a legal acquittal, I think O.J. did it, too.)

I also realize my own hypocisy–that if this was as act committed by the right tackle, I wouldn’t care so much. I guess that’s part of the plank in my eye. It’s just that when I watch football, I don’t feel like I’m cheering for the right tackle. I do feel, however, like I am cheering for the QB. And that just doesn’t seem like a lot of fun right now. I know I’m sitting uncomfortably upon Mt. Pious. This just goes beyond the pale for me.

You’re right. I will miss some good football, but then there’s usually no shortage of good football on the air in the fall.

# 20 April 2010 at 10:48 am

One of The Guys said:

Rich,
All I’m saying is that I don’t think Ben is a great person to have as the face of the franchise.

There are a host of other celebrities and athletes that also haven’t been convicted. OJ Simpson, Ray Lewis to name two. People with money get away with a lot of things that us regular people can’t get away with.

I know you’re a loyal fan and love the Steelers. I think they’re the greatest sports organization, probably ever. However, the last two Super Bowls were won with awesome defense and just enough offense to win.

This is a good discussion Rich. I hope it’s OK with you too.