I am curious as to how the rest of the U.S. sees Ben Roethlisberger. Living here in Pittsburgh I am sure it is quite different than living anywhere else and looking at him. Do sports newscasters else where think that Roger Goodell has been fair in the suspension of Ben and the lack of suspensions else where? Or does the topic of players like Donte Stallworth, Vince Young, and Santonio Holmes, just to name a few, not even come up in other cities sports casts? You know people who have actually been convicted of crimes and never been suspended for a game.
Was just reading this thread after a mixed-feeling filled Sunday. Steelers lost but hey, Brownies won.
But as far as the mentioned convicts is concerned, Donte Stallworth served time, was barred from the NFL for the season of his conviction and his career has never recovered.
Santonio Holmes was suspended by the Steelers once and is currently serving an NFL mandated suspension. I think he joins the Jets next Sunday actually. Or this coming Monday for practice anyway.
Vince Young is in his first season of looking like a semi-mature player. Other than that I'm not sure.
Peoples' feelings on Ben probably will go the way of Vick. Personally, I can forgive both. Even as a dog owner and one who doesn't view women as objects for my own personal amusement. People make mistakes, be it as mishandling stardom or having a nasty upbringing. If they serve time or are punished in a fitting manner and show genuine signs of manning up and doing whatever you can to make up for what you did, then kudos.
Vick won't live down or truely make up for his actions in the eyes of many. How can he? No amount of community service hours or donations to the humane society can bring back the mass death of the dogs that were tortured on his property. He lost more money than we can imagine, really, in the process. He had a $100 million contract that he threw away.
Ben's punishment fits the not-crime in the eyes of the law. Goodell gave him a punishment knowing he wasn't convicted, and that he couldn't suspend him in a term as though he was convicted. And Ben's been humbled by the treatment the Rooney's gave him. Especially when the openly searched for possible trade options. Not to mention when Hines Ward stated that Ben's actions caused the rest of the team to be the ones dealing with the punishment. And I'm sure the team going 3-1 without him also had an effect to keep him off his high horse.
But that's that.
Loved McNabb winning in Phili as a Redskin!