The case files released this week in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette are far less damning for Ben Roethlisberger than the outrage expressed by Commissioner Goodell suggest. However, the soon to be released pictures of Roethlisberger in the Capital City Bar may mar his reputation irreparably. They won't show criminal behavior, only the pathetically human failings that we cannot accept in our multi-million dollar icons. by Paul Benedict
(libertarian)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
He was definitely out of the pocket, and he had only one offensive lineman, Willie Colon, to protect him Yes, it is ugly. Hit and hit hard, smeared, by a five Zeta sorority girls (page 12) from an intramural flag football team (page 2 paragraph 2). Yep, it looks like Big Ben Roethlisberger is out of the game. Perhaps it's a season ending injury, perhaps a career ender. It's one of the ugliest hits in NFL history, but was it a classic smear? When we look "smear" up in Webster's next year will we see a picture of Roethlisberger's black eye?
It's hard to tell. There is not a hair of physical evidence (page 1) against Ben, and the accuser's own surreal depiction of events (see top of page 28) makes the lack of a single follicle of forensic evidence simply impossible. Even some of the "unchallenged" evidence about Ben serving drinks to underage college girls may not stand up to scrutiny any better the vodka Jello Shots (page 6, paragraph 2) or the sexually explicit name tags (page 23) the sorority team shared before the game (page 19 paragraph 2). It is remarkable how many of the witnesses in this incident work part time in these same college bars. Certainly, they knew far more than Roethlisberger about the girls who drink illegally in Midgeville (aka Milledgeville) Alabama.
But wow, what a play that Zeta girl made! Just as a defensive lineman selflessly slams aside all obstacles to allow the linebacker to make a play, this same Zeta sorority girl seems to have supplied another sister the false ID (page 2) that allowed her direct access to the quarterback in the VIP room. Then she moves off her block, and with words that defy her own recollection, puts the quarterback in danger by completely exposing him to the media. In one way or the other, it's safe to say Ben got sacked. Word is he'll be out 4-6 games, at least a quarter of the NFL season.
But was it a classic smear? Was Ben simply out on an altruistic fan friendly tour of a quaint college town, that ended up with Ben trying to make friends with a college girl for future reference? Sadly, there seem to be only two accounts (one about Wille Colon and the other about Ben27, par. 4) among the many that indicate this may have been the case, and, as we all know, truth is as the majority rules. Hence, Ben must be guilty and no "smear" occurred. It is especially true that the truth is what the majority rules after the media has told it what to think.
Enter NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, digital technology, and the prurient interests of the morbid mob that is all of us. If there has been no smear, there will be. Daylight casts the worst shadows. The video case files and pictures of Ben at the Capital City Bar will be public record. We'll get to see ourselves, the way we would look at 2:30 AM after two, three, four, five, six, seven, or even eight drinks. We will see ourselves and hate Ben. Why? Because he is supposed to be better than we are, but guess what? Ben Roethlisberger is just a football player, a Pro Bowl Quarterback sacked by a bunch of flag football sorority girls having the game of their lives.
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