Let me start by saying I’m originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. My parents live within walking distance of Lambeau Field.  I’ve seen many games there, and when I was younger, I even sold programs for them.  Green Bay also isn’t a big town.  The players often hang out in the same bars as the rest of us normal people.  That being said, I’ve seen a lot of deplorable behavior from pro-football players.  I won’t name names, but a lot of these players think they are gods gift to women.  If you tell them no, they don’t take it too lightly. Yes, this is behavior I’ve seen myself;  this is behavior I’ve heard about from others too.

So how does this relate to Ben Roethlisberger?  Well, if you haven’t heard, two women have claimed to be assaulted by him.  Two women — two different states.  Granted, I wasn’t there nor do I know Ben Roethlisberger.  That being said, I’m inclined to believe the women.  Everybody has a price and fighting an NFL player in court is nobody’s cup of tea.  I’m sure they were pressured to not press charges.  Since the Nevada case is a civil case, I’m pretty sure she thought his actions were not consensual.  And here’s where my anger comes in.  Here is his lawyers statement:

“I cannot fathom how a suspension or any other form of traditional discipline will help Ben make a better choice the next time he decides to have consensual sex.  The difficulty that Ben had in articulating a distinction between the risks associated with private and semi-public sex is the product of the undeniable similarity between the Reno and Georgia accusations, even though one event occurred in the privacy of Ben’s hotel room and the other in a semi-public bathroom.”

and

“This is one of the more challenging conduct issues that you have confronted because the fundamental issue does not involve an arrest or criminal charges. This is an issue of lifestyle and the need to develop the tools and a method for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that flow from the stature and celebrity enjoyed by the men who play football.”

Now, for him to call a sexual assault consensual is infuriating.  Let me assault you Mr. Cornwell (that’s his attorney) and let’s see how you like it.  I’m pretty sure you won’t.  I’m pretty sure you won’t tell me that you asked for it, because that’s what this statement says to me.  My excuse for such behavior is that I’m a football player, so I can do whatever I want.

Obviously, there is more to this story since the commissioner of football suspended Roethlisberger for several games.  How do you feel about these statements?  Do they make you angry too?