Big Ben Absolutely Must Be Suspended

Written by theMBIIIeffect

If you type the name of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into Google’s search bar, nine of the ten most popular search options are not football-related.

The search options that come up are things like ‘Ben Roethlisberger accuser’ in reference to the 20-year old college student who accused Roethlisberger of sexual assault.

It’s the second time in the past eight months that Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual misconduct with a woman.

Currently, Roethlisberger is meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Surely they’re discussing some of what Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright said on Monday-namely that Roethlisberger fed drinks to this young woman until she was visibly very intoxicated, had a security guard lead her to the bathroom with him following shortly afterwards.

There’s no way that Bright could prove rape in this case. He claimed that he didn’t have enough for a case.

The NFL’s fan base doesn’t need enough to have a case against Roethlisberger. For all intents and purposes, they’ve indicted the Steelers quarterback already.

In court, the prosecuting attorney would have to prove that what went on in that bathroom was not consensual sex. Right now, all they’ve got is a small sample of male DNA, not enough to provide a profile that they could use to match with Roethlisberger. There is no video recording from the restroom, no audio recording and the testimony of the victim would not stand in court because of the amount of alcohol she had consumed.

The NFL fan doesn’t need all that. They’ve seen enough-his motorcycle accident where he was riding without a helmet and a permit, another case of sexual misconduct with Andrea McNulty and breaking news of another young woman who claims the quarterback forced himself upon her in Las Vegas-to know that Big Ben is a big tool. His reputation as a man that will force himself upon women now precedes him.

Think of it this way: if you were a night club owner, would you want Roethlisberger and his crew in your establishment?

Months ago, it would be great publicity and the guy probably would’ve dropped a couple hundred dollars without breaking a sweat. But given these new charges, you’ve got to stop the guy at the door, hope your bouncers are bigger than his security guards and ask him to go somewhere else before he gets all rapey in a bathroom stall.

It’ll come as a huge shock if Roethlisberger escapes a suspension from Goodell today. Most people are calling for at least a four-game suspension, the same that new Jets wide receiver and former Roethlisberger target (ha) Santonio Holmes will serve for substance abuse.

I don’t care that Roethlisberger has not been convicted of anything. Goodell won’t care either.

Roethlisberger continues to put himself in situations where he has women making these accusations against him. Goodell is tired of the negative publicity it’s giving the league, so Roethlisberger should expect to take a seat for the first four games of the regular season at the very least.

I don’t think the Steelers will look to trade or cut Roethlisberger. It’s interesting that Holmes, who did have a rough few years, would have been cut had the Jets not stepped in and offered a fifth-round pick and Roethlisberger will likely remain on the team. Holmes has been convicted of more crimes than Roethlisberger has, but the quarterback has brought more negative press on the organization than Holmes has by a longshot.

It’s not a contract issue, either. Roethlisberger has certainly violated his morality clause in his contract, so the Steelers are more than likely off the hook for whatever they owe him.

At any rate, the NFL should be without a starting quarterback for a few games. Big Ben didn’t get convicted, but with as dumb as he seems, I wouldn’t be too shocked to see him in hot water again sometime soon.

UPDATE: Upon leaving the his meeting with Goodell, which lasted about three hours, Roethlisberger called the meeting “very productive”. There has been no word yet on whether or not Roethlisberger will be suspended.