Suspend Roethlisberger? ABSOLUTELY

So, the investigation into whether Big Ben Roethlisberger being accused of sexual assault has been completed. The District Attorney says he will not press charges because nothing can be proved based on the evidence. The accuser has also informed the District Attorney that she no longer wishes to pursue charges against Roethlisberger. I will give you this opinion free of charge. Sure does sound like someone got a check with a bunch of zero's on it to drop this matter and I am not talking about the District Attorney. But now the question is what will the NFL do if anything?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended several players in the past as he has tried to clean up the image of the league. I believe, but am not sure, that almost all players that have been suspended for off the field issues have been arrested and charged with crimes. So what about Ben? Should Goodell suspend him even though Ben has not been arrested for anything? My answer is absolutely, positively, YES!

For the past two years Ben has been in the news for the wrong reasons. July of 2009 he was accused of sexual assault also. That alleged victim is currently suing Ben in civil court seeking money as damages. Again, in that case no charges were filed against Ben. This current case was magnified even more by that previous situation. In addition, Ben was in a college bar where him and his entourage were 8 or 10 years older than most of the patrons. All of these issues combined show a pattern of disturbing behavior and decision making. Ben putting himself in situations where bad publicity could be produced even if he were innocent.

Quarterbacks are the stars of the NFL. They get paid more than any other position. This is the opportunity, unfortunately, for Commissioner Goodell to make an example and set a standard that would land the most solid blow in cleaning up the image and shining the shield of the NFL. Roethlisberger is a QB, but he is also in an elite group in the fact that he is 1 of 2 QB's currently playing to have won more than 1 Super Bowl. The other being Tom Brady. Roethlisberger's contract is worth over 100 million dollars. Only about 15 or at the most 20 players have contracts that great in value.

Commissioner Goodell should suspend Ben for at least 2 games to fire the shot heard through out the league that no one, not even a 2 time winning Super Bowl quarterback will be excused for shady or questionable behavior that brings bad publicity upon the NFL. This will set the standard where no one will have any excuses. Doesn't matter who you are, or whether you get arrested or not. If your actions cause negative publicity and you are not clearly in the innocent area, then you will possibly be suspended. If the league doesn't suspend Ben, the Steelers should. Send the message that you are our leader and you are expected to walk to a higher standard. Along with the message to other players that if we will suspend our highest paid player we will suspend anyone. If the players union fights the suspension, then suspend him with pay. Yes, with pay. Why? These athletes are so well paid there is but one way you can hit them where it hurts. On the field. Yes, playing time on the field is the one thing you can take from them that they cannot get back and that they miss the most. In addition, it gives them the vision that without playing time on the field ALL the fame and money could easily disappear.

NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers if either of you really want to clean up the actions of your players, this is your opportunity to draw the line in the sand that will be your biggest weapon in the future. As NIKE says, just do it.