Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for 6 games. He is also required to attend behavioral counseling. If he behaves, his suspension could be reduced to 4 games.
I have mixed feelings about this. While what has been alleged in both cases is deplorable, nothing has been proven in any court. It comes down to the point of whether Roethlisberger got his NFL punishment because he is a successful, Super Bowl Champion quarterback for one of the elite franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers. And I'll add in that he is a white player. Are the allegations of sexual assault terrible. Of course. But no one has successfully prosecuted or sued him in court. Some might argue that Adam "Pacman" Jones also received punishment before charges, however he had a long history with the law and had been on probation for prior charges.
Now the fate of Roethlisberger is in his hands. The Steelers may well trade him away, as they value class above his talent. While I would disagree on the same grounds as the suspension, it is their right to trade players in the NFL for whatever reason they deem fit. They've prepared for the suspension, and possibly the future, by trading for Byron Leftwich, previously a starter, and still a serviceable QB. Whether as a Steeler or somewhere else, Roethlisberger can only try to keep clean the rest of his NFL career. He only needs to look at Pacman Jones and realize talent does not mean you can keep your job.
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