DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Roethlisberger suspended six games, must undergo evaluation

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Wednesday that he 1) must undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals and 2) will be suspended without pay for the first six games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

After consultation with Commissioner Goodell, Steelers President Art Rooney and the commissioner informed Roethlisberger by telephone today of the two-step approach that is designed to hold Roethlisberger accountable for his conduct and provide him an opportunity to change his behavior and establish himself as a responsible individual.

In a letter to Roethlisberger, Commissioner Goodell said that Roethlisberger must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended by the professional evaluators to help him make better decisions and avoid situations that can cause legal or other problems. A professional behavioral evaluation is mandatory for anyone that has violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Roethlisberger may not attend any team off-season activity after today until he has completed the evaluation and the evaluating professionals confirm with the commissioner that Roethlisberger may resume football activities. If so cleared, Roethlisberger will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games this summer.

The commissioner said he would review Roethlisberger’s progress under the plan prior to the start of the regular season and consider whether to reduce the suspension to four games. Failure to cooperate and follow the plan could result in a longer suspension, the commissioner added.

“The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline ‘even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime’ as, for example, where the conduct ‘imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person’,” Commissioner Goodell stated in his letter to Roethlisberger. “As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk. The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.”

Commissioner Goodell said his review of the matter included the extensive volume of material released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Milledgeville Police Department; public comments by and a private conversation with Georgia District Attorney Fred Bright; comments and recommendations of Roethlisberger’s representatives; a personal interview with Roethlisberger on April 13; dialogue with current players, former players, the NFL Players Association, and others; and information learned by the NFL office in the course of examining the Milledgeville matter.

Other excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s letter:

“I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you. My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

“Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare.”

“I believe it is essential that you take full advantage of the resources available to you. My ultimate disposition in this matter will be influenced by the extent to which you do so, what you learn as a result, and a demonstrated commitment to making positive change in your life.”

“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.”

In addition to the discipline imposed on Roethlisberger, league policy requires that NFL teams remit to the league a portion of a suspended player’s salary starting with the second suspension in a year for violations of the personal conduct or drug policies. The second such suspension in a year results in the club being assessed 25 percent of the suspended player’s forfeited salary to a maximum of $200,000. Prior to the Steelers trading him to the New York Jets, wide receiver Santonio Holmes was suspended for four games for violating the substance abuse program.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5...mp;confirm=true

At this point I feel it is a "Pure Football" post. It effects the very division we play in for the first seven weeks ( Pitt. Bye week 5) and will have a great impact on how the standings may end up in our division.

If I'm mistaken here, then I guess I am.

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So technically it will probably only be 4 games

j/c

I would really like this thread to address how it may effect the Steelers and our division as a whole. If not, this will be a Tailgate or Smack Shack thread.

Thanks in advance.....

According to the article it could be a four game suspension when all is said and done, but no less.

Don't think he had a choice in the matter after the 570 page report was made public. This should satisfy the people screaming for some type of disipline.

Yeah and their bye comes at a PERFECT time. That's a pretty obvious set up.

I would think Dixon unless they trade for a top 10 pick and use that on a QB. Then I would expect Dixon gone and Batch/Byron starting.

I would like to add that if Goodell was going to announce his decision, toaday would have been the perfect day to do it.

Tomorrow is the draft and each team and the media will be focussed on the draft, their own teams and talking draft.

That will go on through Monday. So while some predicted it would be after the draft, the timing of this announcement makes it to where it won't be heavily covered and the draft will overshadow this.

Pretty smart thinking actually IMO

Talk is they are shopping him . Now whether or not it is legit or a scare tactic who knows but a trade would have huge implications on the AFCN and to the Steelers for several years to come . Aging WR in Ward aging TP and a substandard line ..... oh my.

As of this moment I'd say they're "hoping" Dennis Dixon will start. I believe they brought in Leftwich as an insurance policy in case Dixon isn't ready.

I feel the LAST thing they wish to do is start Charlie Batch.

JMHO

You know Ire, this may be the straw that broke the camel's back and they could use this as an excuse for a re-build at least to some degree.

jmho

So, essentially what the league is saying is, WAKE UP KID.. The path you have chosen is not going to result in good things..

I guess I understand that now. I was questioning why they would punish him if the law didn't see fit to do so. But the league apparently has the authority to try and stop this kid from hurting himself, the League or his team....

Given the dollars involved, I understand the league wanting to have that authority.. makes sense to me.

What this really is is a Smack upside his head... a wake up call if you will. I'm not at all sure he's smart enough to listen?

Not trying to start an argument....

The NFL doesn't give a rat's butt about Ben the person (or the player). And I'm pretty sure they don't care what impact his decsions have on his team. The NFL only cares about their own image issues (and rightfully so).

If you play in their league, don't bring negative attention to the shield.

Sexual deviants rarely change their behavior. As I said when the Kobe thing happened......if he did he'll do it again. These type of guys don't get "rehabilitated". In this case 3 (4?) different women are telling the same type of story. If Ben is guilty (and the smoke is certainly there) then he will do it again, and no fine nor suspension is going to stop him.......only incarceration.

As this pertains to the division?? I don't think it matters all that much really. The Steelers are an aging team either way, and have serious issues on the OL, WR, and on D. Ben not being there certainly hurts their chances, but I don't think he's enough to make them relevant in the division anyway. The top of the pecking order is the Rats and the Bungels.

Times are changing in the AFC North......jmho

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Would we have to assume Ben's contract if we did trade for him? And, if so, how much is left on it?

Quote:

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If there is no one there they want at 7, are you really going to pass up a real NFL QB just because he cannot keep it in his pants?

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1. There is no way there isn't someone we want there at 7

2. There is no way in hell I would give up ANY pick for him at this point. At some point you have to have some scruples and say "No, I don't care how much talent is there, I do not want to associate with that".

I really hope this guy gets traded. I wouldn't mind facing Dixon or Leftwich instead of Roethlisberger this season.

Would they draft Clausen if they got a top 10 pick?

I would have a very hard time rooting for the Browns if they KNOWINGLY signed a rapist and deviant. No he wasn't convicted, but everybody isn't lying on him.

Oh and as I said above, he will do it again..........so it's a matter of time before the douchbag is back in trouble anyway.

As PPE said......at some point you have to have enough integrity to say NO. Screw winning if it takes serial rapists to do it.

j/c

doesn't belong in pure football but interesting read on the ben suspension by jason whitlock. it also provides insight from a sorority advisor on her opinion of the testimony from the victim's group.

https://www.dawgtalkers.net/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/684955/an/0/page/0#Post684955

Well, it's quite obvious that everyone here thinks Ben took this girl against her will and raped her, despite the facts of the case.

The only thing Big Ben is guilty of is being in stupid situations and liking women. Hardly a shocking revelation for a mid-late 20 year old man.

He is an NFL QB, of course he didn't get arrested. He is a predater if your a college girl, The only reason he isn't behind bars is because his cop friends! Her BAC level was high but that doesn't mean he didn't do it.

BigBad:

As a fan, I wasn't the slightest bit upset with Mangini dumping Winslow and Edwards (both 1st round Pro Bowlers like BR, btw) in an effort to clear out the stink in the Browns' locker room... and niether of those two guys was a recitivist sexual predator.

If you dump high-profile players who are know carcinogens, why on earth would you turn around and bring in someone who shows character flaws this obvious?

I don't care if he was tried in a court of law or not... he's being tried in the court of public opinion, and for these purposes, that's good enough for me. He's repeatedly shown a blatant disregard for the NFL code of behavior and and a blatant disregard for other human beings. All talent aside, I want no part of him if I'm Lerner, Holmgren or Mangini.

This team is trying to build more than just a competitive roster. It's also trying to instill a positive culture (for the first time since 1999) at the same time... and a culture is established by the quality of the citizens that populate it. This team is just too new, too fragile and too vulnerable to disintegration to take the risk.

Besides... what would the Browns do if he backslides, and lands himself in Suspensionville (or worse, jail) again?

You really want to open us up for that kind of potential setback?

Sometimes, issues other than on-field performance MUST be considered. This ain't Madden,son... and BR isn't just some moving blip on a screen.

I hope Holmy laughed right into the phone receiver when he got the call.

J. (another) H. O.