Merged: Big Ben Gets 6-Game Suspension

[thewarden86]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='08 March 2010 - 05:57 PM' timestamp='1268089030' post='372911']
^ Wherever it came from, it's interesting. Police are usually a bit more tightlipped.

Chicken Little has arrived:
"If you're running the Pittsburgh Steelers, you need to do a couple of things, and you need to do them fast. First, even with the judicial system still trying to determine fact from fiction in Roethlisberger's latest mess, you need to pull the guy aside, tell him to enter a closet at Heinz Field and order him not to leave until further notice. Second, you need to start looking for another quarterback -- you know, just in case, or in an attempt to scare Roethlisberger back into reality."
[url="http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/03/07/big-ben-is-officially-brain-dead/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl4%7Clink1%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fnfl.fanhouse.com%2F2010%2F03%2F07%2Fbig-ben-is-officially-brain-dead%2F"]http://nfl.fanhouse....y-brain-dead%2F[/url]

After I saw that, it reminded me of an article that I read on PFT back during that whole concussion, Hines whines, Dixon starts, Ravens win thing was going on.

"...What if the goal, however, is to groom Dixon to take over for Ben Roethlisberger? Coach Mike Tomlin likely won't be leaving before Ben's career ends, unless Tomlin decides ([b]like Bill Cowher apparently did) that he wants the kind of market deal the Rooneys never will offer. [/b]

... It's not all that ridiculous to consider the possibility that Tomlin might at least toy with the notion of ultimately picking Dixon over Roethsliberger.

Tomlin drafted Dixon; he inherited Roethlisberger. Already, the tailback Tomlin picked in 2008 -- Rashard Mendenhall -- has supplanted Willie Parker, one of the stars of Super Bowl XL.

We're not saying it will happen. But we're thinking that maybe it could.
[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/30/steelers-eventually-will-have-a-tough-decision-to-make-on-dixon/"]http://profootballta...-make-on-dixon/[/url]
[/quote]

Cowher retired because he wanted to spend more time with his last daughter attending college. He could have had many a great deal since then and has turned everyone down. He's simply not ready to come back.

I have no comments on Ben other than we need to see what happens. If he's guilty though, then he needs to go to jail. If he's not, then he needs to stop exposing himself to these types of situations. I'm not speculating either way as to his guilt however.

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='08 March 2010 - 06:08 PM' timestamp='1268089733' post='372919']
Cowher retired because he wanted to spend more time with his last daughter attending college. He could have had many a great deal since then and has turned everyone down. He's simply not ready to come back.

I have no comments on Ben other than we need to see what happens. If he's guilty though, then he needs to go to jail. If he's not, then he needs to [b]stop exposing himself[/b] to these types of situations. I'm not speculating either way as to his guilt however.
[/quote]

Yes if he would [b]stop exposing himself[/b] much of this stop. Sorry that was too good to pass up.

I agree, guilty or not he has got stop with the irresponsible behavior. His teammates depend on him to be healthy and available to play , for him to be out drinking, riding motorcycles w/o a helmet, harassing girls (or worse) is selfish.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

Its pretty Extreme that the cops Swabbed the bathroom for evidence..... we don't know much information on what the Allegation was about, but they do. Maybe it was more than just a touch?

[thewarden86]

[quote name='PSU RAVEN' date='08 March 2010 - 06:41 PM' timestamp='1268091714' post='372942']
Yes if he would stop exposing himself much of this stop. [b]Sorry that was too good to pass up.[/b]

[/quote]

lol. agreed.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' date='08 March 2010 - 06:48 PM' timestamp='1268092093' post='372946']
Its pretty Extreme that the cops Swabbed the bathroom for evidence..... we don't know much information on what the Allegation was about, but they do. Maybe it was more than just a touch?
[/quote]
That's part of the investigation. The bathroom is supposedly where the alleged victim said the asault took place so it's only natural that they would search for evidence.

[H8R]

For the NFL's sake, I hope Ben did not do this. Far too often the NFL has been making neg. headlines in the past 5-10years. If he did do this, shame on him. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't though, I've been in a similar situation and I don't even have money like that. All it takes is a drunk girl with a bf, next thing you know...to save their "relationship" a girl cries "rape" because SHE made a mistake... Granted, my situation never went to court because there was ZERO evidence. The problem is you're GUILTY in the eyes of just about every women that hears of it.

I still think if he is convicted he needs SERIOUS punishment, I have ZERO tolerance for things like this! The NFL WILL hammer down if he is convicted or EVEN IF he is tried in a court of law.

[darklight1216]

TMZ seems to know everything about this case. They are reporting that Ben's accuser (whom they have identified and have a photograph of) was hysterical and in tears when she talked to the police and has now dropped out of college and is back with her parents.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/09/ben-roethlisberger-sexual-assault-accuser-drops-out-georgia-college-goes-home/
http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/08/ben-roethlisberger-photographed-accuser-sexual-assault-police-georgia-capital-city/

[quote]Ben Roethlisberger has been asked to fork over a DNA sample to cops as part of the investigation into accusations that the NFL star sexually assaulted a 20-year-old woman.

The Milledgeville Police Department claim they made the request to Ben's legal team and believe Roethlisberger will comply.[/quote]
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/tag/ben+roethlisberger/#ixzz0hl53scZr

[MagicianCamille]

[quote name='H8R' date='09 March 2010 - 08:23 AM' timestamp='1268141029' post='373237']I still think if he is convicted he needs SERIOUS punishment, I have ZERO tolerance for things like this! The NFL WILL hammer down if he is convicted
[/quote]

If he's convicted I think he'd have bigger things to worry about than what the NFL is gonna do...

[H8R]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' date='10 March 2010 - 07:37 AM' timestamp='1268224652' post='373827']
If he's convicted I think he'd have bigger things to worry about than what the NFL is gonna do...
[/quote]


Very true but it is his career, though that would become secondary to a term in jail..

[George70]

[quote name='Simba' date='06 March 2010 - 06:27 AM' timestamp='1267874853' post='370913']
[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/plus-un2.gif[/img]



Maybe the NFL should have checked out that concussion from that motorcycle accident he had a few years back,could have done more damage than we thought.
[/quote]

Yes, Simba, I have the feeling that his accident from those few years ago may have changed him, and quite possibly for the worse.

[JohnJohnson]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/03/tv-station-ben-roethlisberger-told-cops-he-had-consensual-contact-with-accuser/1

Ben says they had sexual contact, but not intercourse. Afterwards, she slipped and hit her head, then went to the hospital and claimed assault......uh oh.

[Shawn`]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' date='10 March 2010 - 06:51 PM' timestamp='1268268685' post='374247']
[url="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/03/tv-station-ben-roethlisberger-told-cops-he-had-consensual-contact-with-accuser/1"]http://content.usato...-with-accuser/1[/url]

Ben says they had sexual contact, but not intercourse. Afterwards, she slipped and hit her head, then went to the hospital and claimed assault......uh oh.
[/quote]

as farfetched as that sounds, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

some people, when they see someone famous will do anything for a quick buck.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Shawn`' date='10 March 2010 - 08:34 PM' timestamp='1268271277' post='374320']
as farfetched as that sounds, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

some people, when they see someone famous will do anything for a quick buck.
[/quote]
Same here.

Though, to be honest, Roethlisberger should've exercised better judgment. There's a reason why they have those rookie symposiums. Players are warned of the dangers of groupies and shady women, yet half of them don't listen. I understand he was trying to have fun, but when you're young and have money and everyone knows who you are, you can't do what other people your age can do. As a celebrity, you're under a larger microscope, and to ignore is to put yourself at greater risk of getting in trouble. Wrong place, wrong time for Big Ben. But since this isn't the first time this has happened, you'd think he'd exercise greater caution.

I won't paint Roethlisberger as something he's not, but the one thing that he's proven himself to be is the victim of his own actions. Guilty or not, he put himself in this situation and he'll continue to face these problems if he keeps it up. He's in his late-twenties, still hanging out with college girls; that might be the thing to do if you're an average joe, but Roethlisberger knows that he can't do what the average joe can do, so he shouldn't even try.

[Bltravens]

Regardless if he did it or not....maybe he should start hanging out at classier joints lol.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I'm gonna go with a Jim Rome burn on Ben. Rome, pointed out that he is innocent until proven guilty. He then posed the one question that was in my mind. What are you doing hanging out in a bar trolling for 20 something college girls? Look for his sake I hope he did not do this, but Big Ben needs to really sit down and check himself! Realize that you have everything to loose and nothing to gain, or pay the price for your ignorance! Your call Ben!

[thewarden86]

Jim Rome = Captain Obvious

[plesiosaur]

[quote]
Guilty or not, he put himself in this situation and he'll continue to face these problems if he keeps it up. [/quote]

He also put himself in the ladies room.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='11 March 2010 - 05:01 PM' timestamp='1268344862' post='375086']
He also put himself in the ladies room.
[/quote]




That's entirely acceptable under certain circumstances. Actually, I would imagine that it's preferable to the sausage fest that awaits in the door across the hall or right next door.

[plesiosaur]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 March 2010 - 05:18 PM' timestamp='1268345922' post='375093']



That's entirely acceptable under certain circumstances. Actually, I would imagine that it's preferable to the sausage fest that awaits in the door across the hall or right next door.
[/quote]

Good point. And who hasn't gotten his wife/girlfriend into the stall in the men's room when the line is out the door for the women's? But now we're digressing.

Incidentally, I plussed you because I couldn't figure out why anyone would neg that post.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='11 March 2010 - 06:41 PM' timestamp='1268350890' post='375135']
Good point. [b]And who hasn't gotten his wife/girlfriend into the stall in the men's room when the line is out the door for the women's?[/b] But now we're digressing.

Incidentally, I plussed you because I couldn't figure out why anyone would neg that post.
[/quote]

Exactly what I was thinking of when I posted it. A woman in the mens room ALWAYS brightens the mood. lol

Someone negged me for that? There's always one with an issue. Whatever.

Thanks Ples!

[H8R]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='11 March 2010 - 07:19 PM' timestamp='1268353144' post='375160']
Exactly what I was thinking of when I posted it. A woman in the mens room ALWAYS brightens the mood. lol

Someone negged me for that? There's always one with an issue. Whatever.

Thanks Ples!
[/quote]

+1

[Reddawn36]

Another development in the story from NFL.com
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816e0f65&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]My link[/url]

[quote]
In Pittsburgh, these sorts of scenarios aren't tolerated and, according to team and league sources, Dan Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, and Art Rooney are both dismayed that Roethlisberger would again put himself in a position that could tarnish the organization. The Rooneys take any allegations of this nature very seriously, and there are several people within Pittsburgh's organization who believe another such misstep could be Roethlisberger's last as a Steeler.
[/quote]

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='12 March 2010 - 01:10 PM' timestamp='1268417448' post='375615']
Another development in the story from NFL.com
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816e0f65&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true"]My link[/url]
[/quote]

How about giving us a small summary instead of just posting a blind link.

[FerrariFan87]

Wasn't Ben linked to Natalie Gulbis a couple of years back?

[img]http://hookedongolf.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/delete-natalie-gulbis2.jpg[/img]

[thewarden86]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='12 March 2010 - 01:46 PM' timestamp='1268419566' post='375643']
Wasn't Ben linked to Natalie Gulbis a couple of years back?

[img]http://hookedongolf.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/delete-natalie-gulbis2.jpg[/img]
[/quote]



[url="http://thesandtrap.com/lpga/natalie_gulbis_and_big_ben_sittin_in_a_tree"]Yep, in 2005[/url]

[marek0393]

Well Ben always knows how to make splashes all year round. If its not concussions or motorcycle accidents or something to do with women... Lol what a guy. Btw I find it funny how he posed for pictures with the cops right before they had to arrest him.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

SO whats going on with the situation now. Its like its disappeared off ESPN and everyone forgot, lol.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' date='14 March 2010 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1268618087' post='376566']
SO whats going on with the situation now. Its like its disparaged off ESPN and everyone forgot, lol.
[/quote]
Despite vowing to cooperate with the police, Ben's lawyer has not agreed to provide a DNA sample.

He also claims that they have evidence of his innocence.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-of-innocence/
Big surprise.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/12/ben-ro...-private-dick/
Ben has hired a private investigator, presumable to do some back-checking on his accuser.

TMZ seems to know everything that's going on with this investigation so you might check there.

In addition, SportingNews believes that the best thing for Ben would be to settle this case out of court.

[quote]During a Monday press conference, authorities in Milledgeville acknowledged that the woman accusing Roethlisberger of sexual assault has hired a lawyer. This means that, at some point, she'll sue the two-time Super Bowl-winning signal-caller.

So the best approach would be for Roethlisberger's lawyers to commence a dialogue with the alleged victim's lawyer and settle the case -- now. Surely, there's a number north of $100,000 and south of $1 million that she'd take to waive any civil claims and drop her charges. Like Kobe Bryant's accuser nearly seven years ago, nothing takes the steam out of a criminal prosecution faster than a civil settlement.

The settlement needs to happen soon, before a decision is made to charge Roethlisberger with sexual assault. With a completely confidential settlement that entails an agreement to drop the charges, everyone can move on — and Roethslisberger can continue his career without having to deal with a civil trial like the one he faces in Nevada, or a criminal trial that could, in theory, put him in jail.[/quote]
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/arti...is-new-accuser

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 March 2010 - 10:01 PM' timestamp='1268618483' post='376573']
Despite vowing to cooperate with the police, Ben's lawyer has not agreed to provide a DNA sample.

He also claims that they have evidence of his innocence.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-of-innocence/
Big surprise.

http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/12/ben-ro...-private-dick/
Ben has hired a private investigator, presumable to do some back-checking on his accuser.

TMZ seems to know everything that's going on with this investigation so you might check there.

In addition, SportingNews believes that the best thing for Ben would be to settle this case out of court.
[quote]
During a Monday press conference, authorities in Milledgeville acknowledged that the woman accusing Roethlisberger of sexual assault has hired a lawyer. This means that, at some point, she'll sue the two-time Super Bowl-winning signal-caller.

So the best approach would be for Roethlisberger's lawyers to commence a dialogue with the alleged victim's lawyer and settle the case -- now. Surely, there's a number north of $100,000 and south of $1 million that she'd take to waive any civil claims and drop her charges. Like Kobe Bryant's accuser nearly seven years ago, nothing takes the steam out of a criminal prosecution faster than a civil settlement.

[b]The settlement needs to happen soon, before a decision is made to charge Roethlisberger with sexual assault. With a completely confidential settlement that entails an agreement to drop the charges, everyone can move on — and Roethslisberger can continue his career without having to deal with a civil trial like the one he faces in Nevada, or a criminal trial that could, in theory, put him in jail.[/b]
[/quote]
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/arti...is-new-accuser
[/quote]
at this point the state I assume would still press criminal charges even if she drops out if there is enough evidence of the matter..... I would assume it would be somewhat how they treat a battery when the victim doesn't want to press charges in fear of more violence or etc.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='14 March 2010 - 11:09 PM' timestamp='1268622548' post='376600']
at this point the state I assume would still press criminal charges even if she drops out [b]if there is enough evidence[/b] of the matter..... I would assume it would be somewhat how they treat a battery when the victim doesn't want to press charges in fear of more violence or etc.
[/quote]
That's a pretty sizeable "if." [s]Rape[/s] Sexual assault cases are often little more than he-said-she-said, and if no one is complaining then they might not have a case.

Here's a really long article from Pittsburgh: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_671613.html

Buried somewhere in there is the report that Ben's lawyer has agreed to arrange another meeting between Ben and the police and to submit a DNA sample.