SI.com - Ben is the NFL's most polarizing player

Just in time to stir the pot for the playoffs, a long article is up on SI.com this morning about Ben Roethlisberger - very little to do with football and very much about the two sexual assault allegations along with a rehashing of other claims that Ben was a jerk from 2004 - 2010.

Without excusing Ben's alleged conduct, I think the article is a hit piece, but maybe not - link to full article below

Why Ben Roethlisberger Is The NFL's Most Polarizing* Player (*And What That Says About The Steelers QB - And About You)

As his Steelers storm into the postseason, it’s easy to see how Ben Roethlisberger has evolved as a player. But his growth as a person? That’s hardly as clear. Chilly relations with his hometown may provide clues to the quarterback’s deeper feelings—and give fans undecided about supporting him even more to ponder.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/03/ben-roethlisberger-past-controversy-pittsburgh-steelers-findlay

Without going into what may or may not have happened in that college bar in 2010, Ben is lucky that the Milledgeville DA (unlike some prosecutors) was committed to not indicting unless he could prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt while passing up the chance to be the star of a media circus.

But this article is the latest example that some of his behavior through 2010 always is going to follow Ben regardless of no finding of civil let alone criminal liability against him.

Great article. And while it points out his troubles in Colorado and Georgia, it also brings home the points of how success can have impacts on such a greater personal level.

I recall earlier in the year there was an article about how Ben has changed. It spoke more about his personal life and how he's embraced not being so public, but at the same time doing what he needs to do as a Steeler while ensuring he's still able to do his responsibilities as husband & father.

Ben may have changed a great deal.  Outside the confines of Steeler Nation, his image will never change.  

FrancoLambert wrote:

Ben may have changed a great deal.  Outside the confines of Steeler Nation, his image will never change.  

this is so true

People will always find something if they don't like a player. As long as Ben keeps himself off trouble, most people will forget what he did in the past. You don't hear people calling Ray Lewis 'murderer' when he retired. And I'm sure most people would not called Brady 'cheater' when he's inducted to the HOF.

Here's what bothers me about this whole deal. Ray Lewis went to trail for "involvement" in a murder trial, yet he is revered by most of the NFL. Ben IMO put himself in bad situations and was "accused" of raping 2 women.Neither case ever went to trial. Why then can't the media drop it. To me this is the double standard the NFL produces. I'm not defending Ben. What he did was selfish and immature.


They say they're all about player safety and yet you can buy the tape "NFL" greatest hits.

Ben today is the polar opposite of who he was 7 years ago and still he is paying for his indiscretions. You haven't heard derogatory comments about Lewis ever unless you're talking to a Steeler fan.

solardave wrote:

Here's what bothers me about this whole deal. Ray Lewis went to trail for "involvement" in a murder trial, yet he is revered by most of the NFL. Ben IMO put himself in bad situations and was "accused" of raping 2 women.Neither case ever went to trial. Why then can't the media drop it. To me this is the double standard the NFL produces. I'm not defending Ben. What he did was selfish and immature.


They say they're all about player safety and yet you can buy the tape "NFL" greatest hits.

Ben today is the polar opposite of who he was 7 years ago and still he is paying for his indiscretions. You haven't heard derogatory comments about Lewis ever unless you're talking to a Steeler fan.

Because if you make derogatory comments about Lewis, he will find you, and kill you.

solardave wrote:

You haven't heard derogatory comments about Lewis ever unless you're talking to a Steeler fan.

Lewis is still regarded as a thug by some other than Steelers fans and his somewhat dubious indictment for murder secured by a publicity seeking DA in Atlanta (which was pleaded down to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice with the assistance of the same criminal defense attorneys who represented Ben in the the Georgia sexual assault investigation) will stick with him.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (no province of Steeler Nation) reviewed his involvement on the 10th anniversary of the murder in 2013

Ray Lewis’ Atlanta legacy not so storied

http://www.ajc.com/news/ray-lewis-atlanta-legacy-not-storied/FFZpIyi9k9m7TJNMmkifKK/