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[Starscream]

Originally Posted by shilala

The way I understand it, Andy, is that if you take out raping chicks in the bathroom, everything else he did that night is unbecoming of an NFL player. Or anyone, for that matter. You can read about his actions in everyone's statements in the link that Vic provided. Take out all the stuff that points toward the rape charge and it's still a big mess. There were plenty of people there, and they made statements to the police. So did the police who were with him, albeit vague.
Ben isn't good at drinking, and he takes it out there and likes to make a big spectacle. It's not the first time he's been in hot water about the way he parties. So instead of heeding his contracted conduct clauses, he chose to ignore them.
You can read what Goodell said about the suspension right here.
Add this latest stunt to breaking his skull on the motorcycle, and the other rape charges, and Ben is dragging in all sorts of unwanted attention.
This latest is his third major episode in the last four years.
Take any of his numerous actions, and they would likely get a guy canned even if he works at Walmart.
He doesn't need to be found guilty of rape to lose his job. He already did plenty.

Originally Posted by Resipsa

Andy, I think Scott hits the nail right on the head.

I think the author of this article does a fantastic job:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/comme...ory?id=5122538


And I think this particular quote is right on the money:

When Kobe Bryant was entangled in a 2003 rape case, he relied on the idea of familiarity with a press corps that, in truth, he had treated with distance and contempt. In his moment of need, he attempted to trade on his name to discredit his accuser with his famous "Come on guys, you know me" appeal to basketball reporters.

Bryant benefited from the power of the brand of being a ballplayer, and Woods, who has long been disdainful and contemptuous of the press, recently referred to them as "friends" during his news conference.

Perhaps it is a sign of shifting times or Bryant's star power, but some elements of the public responded to Bryant by threatening his accuser. And it is important to remember that the Bryant rape case was dismissed not because Bryant was innocent, but because his accuser had grown weary of the public humiliation of coming forward, having her sexual history revealed, and chose to end the ordeal.

Seven years later, Roethlisberger is not afforded much of the same protection. The segment of the public that sides with him exemplifies a certain sexism and hero worship, a reaction that undoubtedly would be different if the woman were a friend or family member. What matters is that anyone who took the time to read the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's 500-plus-page report, which is now available online, does not support him, and his employers have not defended him. He has no credibility.

Thanks for the info, Scott and Vic.

I knew that he had been in trouble with the ladies before, but not to that extent. Still, I'm not so sure about his suspension. I don't believe that he is a great guy off the field after all of this, but it is what it is. I know it's not the NFL way, but I would be more satisfied if the Steelers banned him from six games (not gonna happen) rather than the NFL. I guess that shows me as more of a States Rights kind of guy. I do see Goodell's reasoning though.

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Thanks for the info, Scott and Vic.

I knew that he had been in trouble with the ladies before, but not to that extent. Still, I'm not so sure about his suspension. I don't believe that he is a great guy off the field after all of this, but it is what it is. I know it's not the NFL way, but I would be more satisfied if the Steelers banned him from six games (not gonna happen) rather than the NFL. I guess that shows me as more of a States Rights kind of guy. I do see Goodell's reasoning though.

that's an interesting analogy

[shilala]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Thanks for the info, Scott and Vic.

I knew that he had been in trouble with the ladies before, but not to that extent. Still, I'm not so sure about his suspension. I don't believe that he is a great guy off the field after all of this, but it is what it is. I know it's not the NFL way, but I would be more satisfied if the Steelers banned him from six games (not gonna happen) rather than the NFL. I guess that shows me as more of a States Rights kind of guy. I do see Goodell's reasoning though.

Andy, the Steelers already picked up Byron Leftwich yesterday, they have two other quarterbacks in Batch and Dixon, and they are dangling Ben for a draft choice.
I don't think, under the collective bargaining agreement that the Steelers have with the players union, that the Steelers can dispense any sort of "punishment". What they can do is fire him and get out from their contractual obligation to him.
If the Steelers can't make money, which as a business is their first priority, then they're going to look to minimize their loss. You can bet that the Rooney's fleet of lawyers has long since found them a fistful of "outs". I would be absolutely shocked to see Ben anywhere near the field with the Steelers this year. I was surprised to see him at training camp, but the shoe hadn't dropped yet.
I've loved Ben as much as anyone over the years. I desperately wanted none of this stuff to be true, so I read everything I could see since it all started. It's real easy to see that he did what he was blamed with. That makes the charges from the woman in Reno look perfectly real, too.

I'm sure the Steelers wish they could punish him, but I believe they are powerless in that capacity. I'd be willing to bet the farm that you won't see Ben throwing the ball for the Steelers this year. They are the second most popular brand in the NFL next to the Cowboys. They can't have a raper at QB, it'd cause a huge financial downturn, and money is already super scarce with the economy being what it is.
I'd love to see Ben not picked up by anyone. In my way of thinking, I can't even imagine a team desperate enough to hire a serial raper. If he was available to play for free, I can't imagine giving him the ball on my team. He hasn't confessed, he hasn't done time, and he hasn't begged for forgiveness because he can't. He'd be indicted. It all makes him very untouchable. It actually puts him in a far worse position than if he actually did get charged and lost his case and did time. At least there's some justice in that. I'm sure it's not much solace for the women and families he's hurt, but hopefully he'll get what he's earned, even if it isn't what we'd expect.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by shilala

Andy, the Steelers already picked up Byron Leftwich yesterday, they have two other quarterbacks in Batch and Dixon, and they are dangling Ben for a draft choice.
I don't think, under the collective bargaining agreement that the Steelers have with the players union, that the Steelers can dispense any sort of "punishment". What they can do is fire him and get out from their contractual obligation to him.

I wish the teams could punish players rather than the league, but it is what it is.

Originally Posted by shilala

I'd be willing to bet the farm that you won't see Ben throwing the ball for the Steelers this year.

I'd be willing to take that bet. You down? A fiver?