Big Ben Roethlisberger Suspended 6 Games by the NFL

[Dirty]

Roethlisberger suspended by NFL



Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games on Wednesday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the NFL announced.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback also was ordered to undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation. Commissioner Roger Goodell will evaluate Roethlisberger's progress before the season and might consider reducing the suspension to four games.

“ In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track.
” -- Roger Goodell, in letter to Ben Roethlisberger

However, a failure to comply with the NFL's ruling might lead to a longer suspension.
Roethlisberger is barred from attending any Steelers offseason activity after Wednesday until he completes the evaluation. He can participate in training camp and preseason games this summer as long as he is cleared by the evaluators and Goodell.
The Steelers were also ordered to remit a portion of Roethlisberger's salary to the NFL for having two players suspended for violations of the league's personal conduct or drug policies. Wide reciever Santonio Holmes was suspended for four games before being traded to the New York Jets this month.
A second player being suspended requires the offending team to pay the NFL 25 percent of the second player's forfeited salary, with the maximum amount being $200,000.
Last month a 20-year-old college student accused Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her in a Georgia nightclub. Last week, prosecutors decided not to charge Roethlisberger in the case.
"The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline 'even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime' as, for example, where the conduct 'imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person'," Goodell stated in his letter to Roethlisberger.
"As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that 'undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.' By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard."
More excerpts from Goodell's letter to the Steelers quarterback:
• "I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you. My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans."
• "Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare."
• "I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life."
• "In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track."
Backup Plan

The Steelers are 5-5 in games not started by Ben Roethlisberger since 2004.
Blog: Dixon best option

QB	Record
Charlie Batch	3-1
Tommy Maddox	2-3
Dennis Dixon	0-1

The Steelers have begun contacting teams to see if they would be willing to trade a top 10 pick for Roethlisberger, an NFL source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
At least one team, and possibly more, have fielded a call from the Steelers and debated the trade internally, the source said.
But any team that trades for Roethlisberger wants to officially hear how long he is suspended and what the conditions of his suspension are before dealing for the quarterback.
On Tuesday, the Steelers traded a seventh-round pick in this week's NFL draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for quarterback Byron Leftwich, adding depth to the position in anticipation of a possible Roethlisberger suspension.
Leftwich backed up Roethlisberger in 2008, when the Steelers won the Super Bowl. He knows offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' system and could be ready to play Sept. 12 when the Steelers open against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Steelers play three teams that didn't make the playoffs this past season -- the Falcons, Bucs and Tennessee Titans -- plus the division rival Baltimore Ravens in their first four games, a period that could span any Roethlisberger suspension.
Pittsburgh hosts the Cleveland Browns in its fifth game and travels to Miami to face the Dolphins in its sixth game. The Steelers have a bye in Week 5.
Pittsburgh already has third-year quarterback Dennis Dixon and longtime backup Charlie Batch under contract. Batch has been injured each of the past two seasons. Dixon has started only one NFL game but likely would compete with Leftwich in training camp to be the early-season starter if Roethlisberger is suspended.
Walker on Roethlisberger

Do not expect complaints from the Steelers over Ben Roethlisberger's 4-6 game suspension. ESPN.com's James Walker says the season can still be salvaged. Blog


The NFL and the Steelers were angered and embarrassed by the tawdry details of Roethlisberger's night out March 3.
In a statement to police, the 20-year-old college student said Roethlisberger encouraged her, and her friends, to take numerous shots of alcohol. Then one of his bodyguards escorted her into a hallway at the Capital City nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga., sat her on a stool and left. She said Roethlisberger walked down the hallway and exposed himself.
"I told him it wasn't OK, no, we don't need to do this and I proceeded to get up and try to leave," she said. "I went to the first door I saw, which happened to be a bathroom."
According to her statement, Roethlisberger then followed her into the bathroom and shut the door.
"I still said no, this is not OK, and he then had sex with me," she wrote.
Two of her friends said they saw a bodyguard lead her into the hallway and then saw Roethlisberger follow. They said they couldn't see their friend but knew she was drunk and were worried about her.
The statements were among hundreds of pages of the case file made public last week by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Last week, Steelers president Art Rooney II said the team would have imposed sanctions on Roethlisberger before now, but doing so would have permitted the players union to appeal any penalties. Any suspension imposed by Goodell can be appealed only to him.
Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl winner and the highest-paid player in franchise history with a $102 million contract, also is being sued in a civil case by a Nevada hotel employee who has accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2008.
Roethlisberger practiced Monday and Tuesday with the Steelers, but he did not talk with reporters.
NFL security was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, interviewing Roethlisberger's bodyguards, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
Milledgeville is a central Georgia college town about 30 miles from where the quarterback owns a lake home.
Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.




Ben Roethlisberger gets six-game ban - ESPN

[Dirty]

Goodell had no choice but to suspend Roethlisberger (UPDATED)

11:34 am April 21, 2010, by Jeff Schultz

Any NFL player should know by now that there are two judicial systems: One is the set of laws that govern this country. The other has to do with the perceptions and whims of Roger Goodell.
Goodell suspended Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. There’s a possibility of the suspension being reduced to four games if a review before the season indicates he has made sufficient progress in his behavior.
That judgment, of course, will be made by Goodell.
The announcement came on the league’s website. It included the stipulation that Roethlisberger “must undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals.” (Excerpts of Goodell’s letter to Roethlisberger is below.)
In Goodell’s view, it doesn’t matter that Roethlisberger has been twice accused but never charged with sexual assault. A long pattern of negative behavior — some of which was detailed in the GBI’s investigation into the rape claims by a 20-year-old college student in Milledgeville – left the commissioner with no choice.
That’s right: no choice.
Goodell long ago established that the bar on the NFL’s personal conduct policy is set high. He runs the league the way the guy on the corner runs his bagel shop. Significant circumstantial evidence of public lewd behavior would get anybody fired in their profession. Why should it be different for an NFL quarterback?
Roethlisberger’s behavior in Milledgeville was publicly criticized by district attorney Fred Bright, even while Bright admitted he couldn’t prove the allegations in a courtroom. But the near-600 page investigative report spoke volumes. That’s enough for Goodell.
As he said in his letter to Roethlisberger, “… the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing … alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.”
A defense attorney would have a field day with this. But it’s not a defense attorney’s league. Roethlisberger damaged the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same way Michael Vick damaged the Falcons and Adam “Pacman” Jones damaged the Tennessee Titans. When NFL franchises are damaged, so is the league. Goodell lives to protect the shield.
Goodell set the standard with Vick, Jones and Cincinnati’s Chris Henry. In each case, the players were either suspended or told to stay away from training camp before the legal system ran its course. He couldn’t back off now.
When he told Vick not to report to training camp in the summer of 2007 — while Vick was still denying the felony dog-fighting allegations — Goodell released a statement, reading: “While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy.” (Vick ultimately was suspended for up to the first six games of last season but that was reduced to two games.)
As I wrote the other day, to not suspend Roethlisberger would’ve furthered a race debate among some fans and some of the league’s African American players who believe Goodell is harder on blacks than whites. By suspending the two-time, Super-Bowl-winning white quarterback from arguably the league’s premier franchise, that argument is over.
So, too, should any question about the standard Goodell is trying to set.
♦
EXCERPTS OF GOODELL’S LETTER TO ROETHLISBERGER

“The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline ‘even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime’ as, for example, where the conduct ‘imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person. As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing [or facilitating the purchase of] alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.
“I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you. My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.
“Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare.
“I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life.
“In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track.”

♦
Recent posts on Roethlisberger

♦ With no Roethlisberger, Falcons catch break at Pittsburgh
♦ Countdown’s trouble spots: Milledgeville and Remerton?
♦ If Roethlisberger skates, Goodell will face a race debate
♦ Roethlisberger hires Garland, attorney to troubled sports stars
♦
Follow me onTwitter @JeffSchultzAJCand onFacebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC




Goodell had no choice but to suspend Roethlisberger | Jeff Schultz

[Reno Paul]

I heard on the radio that the Steelers wants to trade Big Ben for a top 10 draft pick.

The Raiders???? LMAO

[Dirty]

He would fit in great with Cincy and their thugs.... but a Banishment to Oakland or Buffalo would be perfect...

[Dirty]

Wexford Bar Owner, Fans React To Roethlisberger Sports Illustrated Article









Posted: 10:50 pm EDT May 4, 2010Updated: 6:06 pm EDT May 5, 2010
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be on the cover of the next edition of Sports Illustrated, but it's not his talent on the gridiron that has him front and center.Channel 11 News reporter Julie Fine spoke with David Epstein, one of the writers of the article, who said he was surprised how much a football town like Pittsburgh had turned on the quarterback after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student in Milledgeville, Ga., last month. Roethlisberger wasn't charged in the case, but he's been suspended for six games by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy.The article is titled "The Hangover" and paints a picture of a man who acts entitled and treats others poorly."Sometimes, I would call people, just leaving messages, and they would say to me he did this to my sister, to my cousin, to my friend. Sometimes, I was not even looking for stories," Epstein said.The Fox and the Hound Restaurant in the North Hills is mentioned in the article. An employee there told SI that Roethlisberger left without paying, but employees Channel 11 talked with Tuesday night said the article was blown out of proportion.Mark Baranowski, the owner of The Cabana Bar in Wexford, is also quoted in the article saying Roethlisberger didn't want to pay a $5 cover charge and even questioned the amount of his bill."He came in and was very arrogant and left very little tip," Baranowski told Channel 11. "I think that's what Ben feels is since he is the quarterback and he is coming into your establishment that he is bringing you business and he feels entitled that he can walk out without paying his bill. It's us common folk that love the NFL and has made it the way it is and enables someone like a Ben Roethlisberger to sign a big contract. He should appreciate everybody. And even if he doesn't appreciate them, don't disrespect us," he said.A friend of Roethlisberger's, who didn't want to be identified, told the magazine, "When they're out together, (he) sometimes feels obligated to apologize to waiters and bartenders whom Roethlisberger has treated like garbage."Roethlisberger's agent, Ryan Tollner told SI that Roethlisberger "admitted to me that maybe he got too caught up in the Big Ben persona."Another point made in the article is that people care less about Roethlisberger because the city has found a new hero in the Penguins Sidney Crosby.People Channel 11 showed the article to said they can't believe a star quarterback would act this way."Why doesn't he pull out a hundred dollar bill and say hey this is for the next 20 people. I don't understand that," one fan said.Other fans said they see this as the new Big Ben bandwagon and everyone is just jumping on it."I think once the ball gets rolling in a negative light I think it will continue for a while. But I think as time goes on and he starts winning things will kind of go away," said Michael Rieder of Shadyside.Channel 11 contacted the Steelers but the organization said it has no comment on the article.

Wexford Bar Owner, Fans React To Roethlisberger Sports Illustrated Article - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

[Minnesota Mike]

Yup, he's a real classy guy - wont even pay his bar bill and treats everyone like shit...no way he did anything to that girl, huh dirty?

[Dirty]

Yup, he's a real classy guy - wont even pay his bar bill and treats everyone like shit...no way he did anything to that girl, huh dirty?

You obviously have Alzheimer MM.... I never said he did anything... I never said he didn't... I wasn't going to convict him before all the truth came out... he has been caught and is serving his punishment.... I always said, and you can look it up, if the man is guilty he deserves to be punished for what he did....and he is getting what he deserves ... nothing more and nothing less

[YeahBoyHowdy]

SI has a really good article this week concerning roethlisberger. i had no idea what a dick this guy < apparently > was....

worth a read.

AN NFL SUPERSTAR'S REPULSIVE BEHAVIOR, THE ULTIMATE - 05.10.10 - SI Vault

[NickPappagiorgio]

Ive read that hes a conceited prick many times. His marketability is shit, which it should be. Charged or not, its pretty obvious something illegal happened in that bathroom.

[Dirty]

Like I told MM... no need to rush to judgment on him and hang him at the stake... In time the truth will be known and he will get what he deserves

[Ego74]

I don't have much sympathy for Roethlisberger, but the guy was not charged with any crime.

If you're gonna start suspending NFL football players for being assholes in public, public drunks and sex addicts, Goodell would be forced to call in the replacement players this fall like Rozelle had to do when the players union went on strike back in '87.

[Dirty]

I agree he needed to be suspended... This is the 2nd time he has embarrassed himself, the league and the Steelers... but you are correct he didn't get charged... and he is getting it back 10 fold with his Rep and losing endorsements, etc