For the rest of his career, Woods will be known as the guy who had an infinite number of mistresses, while destroying the lives of his wife and children. And, Ben “Rapistberger,” as Jeremy Piven dubbed him, will always be remembered as the quarterback who was suspended for an alleged sexual assault case involving a 20-year-old Georgia college student.
Roethlisberger told the media at his first official Super Bowl press conference that he wanted to look beyond his four-game suspension (reduced from six games) from the beginning of the season for breaking the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
“I want to be a role model,” he said. “I want people to look up to me. I like when kids wear my jersey.”
Based on statistics, Roethlisberger is a good role model. In his seven-year career, he has led the Steelers to three Super Bowls, winning the first two, with the third outcome to be decided Sunday night. Steelers fans have begun to accept Big Ben back into their good graces, but the rest of the football world should not begin to sing his praises just because of a 12-4 record and a Super Bowl appearance. No one should forget what happened just 11 months ago.
Athletes cannot be judged on statistics alone. With no regard to football, Roethlisberger is as close to a role model as any other scumbag accused of sexually assaulting someone. But because Big Ben can throw a football, he gets a chance at redemption that the rest of us don’t. Success on a field should not automatically make someone a better person.
Even though the defensive attorney in Georgia opted not to press charges against the Steelers QB, that does not prove his innocence. There’s still the lengthy police report filed by the alleged victims and her friends, as well as physical evidence. There’s also that little detail that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell thought that the case was serious enough to suspend Roethlisberger initially for six games without pay. Whether it was because Goodell thought there was more to the story or if he truly thought Roethlisberger wasn’t representing himself the way NFL players should, the commissioner did not give him the superstar benefit of the doubt.
To fans outside of the Steelers’ realm, Roethlisberger wanting to be a role model is kind of an offensive joke, much like Michael Vick saying he wants to get a dog. Roethlisberger is not a better person. He is not a good role model. He is just a good quarterback who has found his groove.
Do you think Roethlisberger has redeemed himself enough to be a good role model? Share your thoughts below.
