Big Ben Suspended

By Brittni Michaelis

Ben Roethlisberger, star quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been suspended for up to six games by the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

By terms of the suspension, Roethlisberger must also receive a behavioral evaluation and if Goodell sees progress in Big Ben the suspension could be reduced to four games. It is reported that if Roethlisberger fails to undergo the evaluation, Goodell could increase the suspension.

Big Ben who has been linked to a series of legal troubles within the past two years will reportedly not contest the suspension. Goodell who met with Roethlisberger last week in New York, has expressed his disappointment with Ben in a letter. He goes onto say, “In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track.”

Ben who has twice been accused of sexual assault was recently cleared of all charges in an incident that happened in Georgia in which a 20 year-old college student accused him of rape. However, a woman who claims Roethlisberger assaulted her back in 2008 in a hotel is still suing the quarterback.

While it comes as a big blow to many Steeler fans, I would not worry too much. The Steelers are looking to shop around their franchise quarterback in order to move up in the draft order and to restore their image.

Art Rooney II, the Steelers president, said today, “I agree with and support the decision the commissioner made today.” The Steelers look to be continuing on with the possibility of Roethliberger not wearing a black and yellow uniform next year. Byron Leftwich, was acquired by the Steelers on Tuesday from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a seventh round draft pick.

The NFL and the Steelers were not pleased when the case details came to late during Roethlisberger’s latest encounter with the law. While some think the suspension is too stiff and others think it’s too lenient, the bottom line is Ben Roethlisberger might have played his last game as the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback.