mesaSteeler
04-12-2010, 07:19 AM
Madden Monday: Some owe Big Ben apology
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/april/12/madden-monday-some-owe-big-ben-apology.html
By: Mark Madden
Beaver County Times
Monday April 12, 2010 12:08 AM
Not too long ago, rumor had it, the Steelers had a quarterback who liked men. You weren’t real comfortable with that.
The current Steelers quarterback likes women. You don’t like that, either. Make up your mind.
That’s all Ben Roethlisberger is guilty of: Liking women. It made Joe Namath an icon. It’s making Roethlisberger a pariah.
ESPN says Roethlisberger will not be charged with any crimes when the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney announces his finding regarding Roethlisberger’s night out in Milledgeville, Ga., last month.
Will you be as fast to embrace the law and join it in exonerating Roethlisberger as you were to wax self-righteous when, inexplicably, you turned on the quarterback that won you two Super Bowls?
Probably not. That’s life in the Ben lane. Surely make you lose your mind.
America was quick to praise serial adulterer/*****monger Tiger Woods when he was instantly competitive in the Masters despite tremendous scrutiny after over four months away from competitive golf, ignoring that Woods’ problems were self-inflicted and that team sports athletes have at least four months off between seasons.
Why won’t Pittsburgh get past Roethlisberger’s problems?
The civil suit(s) — one going on two — shouldn’t be a problem. With no criminal cases backing them up, those fall under the heading of “nuisance.”
Roethlisberger’s level of performance shouldn’t be a problem. Last campaign, he became the first Steelers quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
No, the problem is — and will be — you’ve decided you don’t like Roethlisberger. I’m not minimizing that. Mike Tyson got convicted for rape despite no concrete evidence because a jury liked his victim a lot more than they liked Tyson. With Roethlisberger’s likeability at an all-time low, he should be all the more grateful this case won’t go to trial.
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So, you’ve got a guy you don’t like quarterbacking the football team you love. What next?
I don’t sense any change, mainly because I don’t sense Roethlisberger will feel a need to change. Anybody anticipating a public mea culpa, including Steelers management and his teammates, might be waiting a long time, and should be. Why apologize when you’ve done nothing wrong? It’s unnecessary, akin to an admission. Roethlisberger should keep going out. He likes girls and mostly, girls like him. Ben should just avoid he said, she said situations. Maybe his lawyers could draw up a release form.
I don’t expect any punishment from the NFL or the Steelers. What should Roethlisberger be punished for? What part of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Code did he violate? Even the proverbial talking-to will ring hollow.
The minute Roethlisberger is exonerated, he becomes the victim. Mistakenly arrested. Tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. Unfairly maligned by the media. Subject to speculated punishment ranging from jail to suspension to unemployment. Those things don’t go away, can’t be unsaid, now that it turns out Roethlisberger didn’t do anything.
Roethlisberger’s detractors won’t agree. “Didn’t do anything?” they will fairly roar. “He obviously did something!”
No, he didn’t. Roethlisberger really is a victim, proof anyone can accuse anyone of practically anything and have it taken seriously. There was never a legitimate case against Roethlisberger. Not a shred.
So, get over it. Ask nice, and maybe Roethlisberger will sign your autograph next time. Roethlisberger will have a big season. Bet on it. The great ones block out trouble, focus and perform.
It’s going to be awesome. It’s the one thing that can get you even angrier.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/april/12/madden-monday-some-owe-big-ben-apology.html
By: Mark Madden
Beaver County Times
Monday April 12, 2010 12:08 AM
Not too long ago, rumor had it, the Steelers had a quarterback who liked men. You weren’t real comfortable with that.
The current Steelers quarterback likes women. You don’t like that, either. Make up your mind.
That’s all Ben Roethlisberger is guilty of: Liking women. It made Joe Namath an icon. It’s making Roethlisberger a pariah.
ESPN says Roethlisberger will not be charged with any crimes when the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney announces his finding regarding Roethlisberger’s night out in Milledgeville, Ga., last month.
Will you be as fast to embrace the law and join it in exonerating Roethlisberger as you were to wax self-righteous when, inexplicably, you turned on the quarterback that won you two Super Bowls?
Probably not. That’s life in the Ben lane. Surely make you lose your mind.
America was quick to praise serial adulterer/*****monger Tiger Woods when he was instantly competitive in the Masters despite tremendous scrutiny after over four months away from competitive golf, ignoring that Woods’ problems were self-inflicted and that team sports athletes have at least four months off between seasons.
Why won’t Pittsburgh get past Roethlisberger’s problems?
The civil suit(s) — one going on two — shouldn’t be a problem. With no criminal cases backing them up, those fall under the heading of “nuisance.”
Roethlisberger’s level of performance shouldn’t be a problem. Last campaign, he became the first Steelers quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
No, the problem is — and will be — you’ve decided you don’t like Roethlisberger. I’m not minimizing that. Mike Tyson got convicted for rape despite no concrete evidence because a jury liked his victim a lot more than they liked Tyson. With Roethlisberger’s likeability at an all-time low, he should be all the more grateful this case won’t go to trial.
Advertisement Wedding Guide
So, you’ve got a guy you don’t like quarterbacking the football team you love. What next?
I don’t sense any change, mainly because I don’t sense Roethlisberger will feel a need to change. Anybody anticipating a public mea culpa, including Steelers management and his teammates, might be waiting a long time, and should be. Why apologize when you’ve done nothing wrong? It’s unnecessary, akin to an admission. Roethlisberger should keep going out. He likes girls and mostly, girls like him. Ben should just avoid he said, she said situations. Maybe his lawyers could draw up a release form.
I don’t expect any punishment from the NFL or the Steelers. What should Roethlisberger be punished for? What part of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Code did he violate? Even the proverbial talking-to will ring hollow.
The minute Roethlisberger is exonerated, he becomes the victim. Mistakenly arrested. Tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. Unfairly maligned by the media. Subject to speculated punishment ranging from jail to suspension to unemployment. Those things don’t go away, can’t be unsaid, now that it turns out Roethlisberger didn’t do anything.
Roethlisberger’s detractors won’t agree. “Didn’t do anything?” they will fairly roar. “He obviously did something!”
No, he didn’t. Roethlisberger really is a victim, proof anyone can accuse anyone of practically anything and have it taken seriously. There was never a legitimate case against Roethlisberger. Not a shred.
So, get over it. Ask nice, and maybe Roethlisberger will sign your autograph next time. Roethlisberger will have a big season. Bet on it. The great ones block out trouble, focus and perform.
It’s going to be awesome. It’s the one thing that can get you even angrier.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).