I wrote a couple weeks ago that I thought this whole Ben Roethlisberger saga was over. Looks like I was wrong. Every time I go online or turn on ESPN there seems to be something new having to do with Roethlisberger, and I’m beyond tired of hearing about it.
By no means am I condoning Roethlisberger’s actions from that night, but in the grand scheme of all that goes on in the NFL, this whole situation has been blown out of proportion. Roethlisberger was not charged because there wasn’t any proof beyond reasonable doubt, and the DA even stated that they “do not prosecute morals. [They] prosecute crimes.”
Clearly, Roethlisberger messed up that night, but I find it hard to believe that he did anything out of the NFL norm. While the exact details of that ill-fated night are unknown, at the least Roethlisberger “contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing [or facilitating the purchase of] alcoholic beverages for underage college students.”
Now, Roger Goodell was acting within his powers, because he is right in stating that NFL players are held to a higher standard. However, that seems a bit harsh. He gets a six game suspension for providing alcohol to underage college students, which seems ridiculous in light of the other suspensions Goodell has handed out as commissioner (courtesy of espn.com):
· Fabian Washington, domestic violence, 1 game
· Michael Boley, domestic abuse, 1 game
· Fred Evans, fight with police, 2 games
· Ricky Manning, felony assault, 1 game
· Brandon Marshall, various (including assaulting girlfriend), 1 game
So according to the NFL, providing alcohol to underage college students is worse that abusing one’s significant other, assaulting someone, or fighting with the police. Then include the fact that Roethlisberger is the only player suspended who hasn’t been convicted of a crime, and I think you understand why this whole situation seems a little ridiculous. It’s time to move onto something else sports world.
By no means am I condoning Roethlisberger’s actions from that night, but in the grand scheme of all that goes on in the NFL, this whole situation has been blown out of proportion. Roethlisberger was not charged because there wasn’t any proof beyond reasonable doubt, and the DA even stated that they “do not prosecute morals. [They] prosecute crimes.”
Clearly, Roethlisberger messed up that night, but I find it hard to believe that he did anything out of the NFL norm. While the exact details of that ill-fated night are unknown, at the least Roethlisberger “contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing [or facilitating the purchase of] alcoholic beverages for underage college students.”
Now, Roger Goodell was acting within his powers, because he is right in stating that NFL players are held to a higher standard. However, that seems a bit harsh. He gets a six game suspension for providing alcohol to underage college students, which seems ridiculous in light of the other suspensions Goodell has handed out as commissioner (courtesy of espn.com):
· Fabian Washington, domestic violence, 1 game
· Michael Boley, domestic abuse, 1 game
· Fred Evans, fight with police, 2 games
· Ricky Manning, felony assault, 1 game
· Brandon Marshall, various (including assaulting girlfriend), 1 game
So according to the NFL, providing alcohol to underage college students is worse that abusing one’s significant other, assaulting someone, or fighting with the police. Then include the fact that Roethlisberger is the only player suspended who hasn’t been convicted of a crime, and I think you understand why this whole situation seems a little ridiculous. It’s time to move onto something else sports world.
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