Benjamin Todd Big Ben Roethlisberger. Miami University's finest. Say what you will about his athletic abilities, or that his defense won those championships, but plain and simple, the guy can play.
Force him to scramble, he will beat you with his legs. Apply pressure, and he comes through in those tough situations, such as one of the most famous touchdown passes in Super Bowl history. For the most part, Big Ben gets it done on the field.
Off the field, Ben has problems, there's no denying it. His judgment is surprisingly lacking, and with these latest allegations, fans should question what kind of person Roethlisberger is.
It's more difficult to sympathize with Roethlisberger this time around. Sure, we shook our heads at his motorcycle accident and thanked the football/mobile vehicle gods he was well. Back then, Roethlisberger was still a kid, coming off a season where he became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Of course he would be excited and a little dare-devilish. And we sure as heck would not believe he sexually assaulted Andrea McNulty in Nevada two years ago. Though she never dropped the civil suit, her story didn't hold up. We Steelers fans and Roethlisbergerians heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Then came the fateful day last month when most opinions of Big Ben changed. The alleged victim went to police right away, something McNulty never did, and even refused to provide her name, while McNulty did so immediately.
With the facts that came out, besides Roethlisberger's denial, it was all but said this crime actually occurred. The Milledgeville, Ga., police department later said Roethlisberger would not face any criminal charges, as there was not enough evidence to prove probable cause.
Sure, there was no probable cause to convict him of anything illegal, but the combined effects of the assault accusations certainly caused doubt in the minds of Steelers fans everywhere, as well as those who just believe in the good of human beings.
I feel for the woman, obviously. I do believe there was inappropriateness, and it's hard to believe sexual assault did not occur. But I also feel for the Steelers players and coaches, fans and the city of Pittsburgh. I feel for the Rooneys, one of the most storied and respected families in football, the family that owned the Steelers since their inception in 1933.
This is the family that places so much patience and confidence in people, one that only hired three head coaches since 1969. The family that created the Rooney Rule
requiring all teams to interview at least one minority candidate when seeking a new head coach. The family that is Pittsburgh royalty and draws respect like few others. The family that believes in people, and the good they bring.
Roethlisberger, the human being, doesn't deserve a place in their locker room.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clearly didn't approve of Roethlisberger's actions; Goodell suspended Roethlisberger without pay for the first six games of the upcoming season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Roethlisberger must also undergo a comprehensive behavioral analysis under the eyes of trained professionals.
The punishment may not be particularly fair, but it's necessary. Six games without pay and a behavior analysis, despite no charges, will prove whether he's serious about changing who he is and proudly once again representing the city that loves him. If he comes out of this a better player, and more importantly, a better human being, he'll owe Goodell big time.
As both a Steelers fan and a human being, I hope Big Ben takes this time away to reflect on what he did and use the unfortunate experience to change himself for the better. Add a barber and a dietician to the mix, and he will become a force to be reckoned with upon his return.
Courtney Cohen is a sophomore studying journalism and Wednesday columnist for The Post. Send her your Primanti Brothers sandwiches at cc363207@ohiou.edu 4
Opinion
Courtney Cohen
