Big Ben accused of sexual assault for second time this year
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March 29, 2010
Allison Jackson
Big Ben is in big trouble…again. The two-time Superbowl quarterback hasn’t crashed his motorcycle or injured his throwing arm this time. No, he has been accused of sexual assault for the second time in less than a year. A 20-year-old woman in Milledgeville, Georgia, claims Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in the women’s restroom at the Capital City Club. The woman was taken to the hospital and later released. Roethlisberger admits there was “sexual contact” but adamantly states that it was consensual.
Pictures of the unnamed woman posing with Roethlisberger have already been posted online. The pictures were taken a few minutes before the alleged assault took place and in both pictures Roethlisberger and the woman appear friendly and close.
Assault charges are not new for the rambunctious Roethlisberger as a similar situation occurred less than a year ago in the summer of 2009. Andrea McNulty, an employee at a Harrah’s casino, alleged sexual assault against Roethlisberger. The 2009 case ended in a settlement but Roethlisberger could find himself before a judge as the woman has hired a lawyer.
An Ohio native who attended Findlay High School, Roethlisberger has had a less-than-perfect criminal record to add to his less-than-perfect season. Starting with his motorcycle accident in June 2006, Roethlisberger has been in the news as many times for run-ins with the law, as he has for victories over the Cleveland Browns.
Despite his past antics, Steelers fans are still shocked and disappointed by these new allegations.
“I’m disappointed but I trust Ben,” junior Riley Kramer said.
The NFL has already stated that even if not convicted, Roethlisberger wil receive some sort of penalty. Some fans are worried that Big Ben has caused more trouble than his $102 million eight-year contract is worth. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has already spoken out in regard to the incident.
“I’m highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally,” he said.
With the NFL draft approaching, fans are wondering if their beloved number seven could be replaced with a different digit. However, the director of football operations Kevin Colbert assures fans the quarterback position “appears to be set.”
Other fans are more than willing to give Roethlisberger another chance to lead the Steel City to a Superbowl win.
“I’m a little disappointed in him,” junior Casey Mazzotti said. “But people make mistakes and God allows for second chances.”
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