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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.