thesportsfag | my gay sports blog

I’m getting an uneasy feeling about the latest allegations of sexual assault against Steeler’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. As my momma used to say, once is a coincidence, twice is a trend.

What’s known right now is that police in Milledgeville, GA are investigating a complaint from a female college student, who claims Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her. Witness reports place Roethlisberger in the same club as the woman and claim that he appeared to be inviting females into a private VIP area of the club.

Unfortunately for Roethlisberger, this news comes while he’s facing a civil charge of sexual assault in Nevada.

Sports Hypocrites
This is hard for me cause I’m a huge Steelers and Roethlisberger fan, but I can’t be a sports hypocrite.

I hate when sports fans cast aspersions on rival teams or players when questionable behavior surfaces, but justify, downplay or outright defend similar behavior from their own team. Roethlisberger’s track record and actions demonstrate a pattern of reckless behavior and poor decision making, making it hard for me to believe in him.

Emotional Investment in Athletes
Like most sports fans I really want to believe that the guys who play for my favorite teams are beyond reproach; it’s not realistic but it’s a fact. Like it or not, we emotionally invest in the teams and athletes we pull for, it’s not the right thing to do but it happens. Anyone who says they can completely separate the two is a straight-up liar.

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt until they’ve proven themselves to be less than trustworthy or credible, and for me there’s a level of disappointment involved when I realize someone I’ve emotionally invested in no longer deserves the benefit of doubt. That’s where I am with Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger’s WTF Moment
So in an attempt to separate my emotions from the story, I have to ask myself how would I react if the quarterback of my most-hated rival was facing charges of sexual assault. I’d like to believe that although I hate the Cowboys and Crimson Tide, if Dallas QB Tony Romo or Alabama QB Greg McElroy were facing a single sexual assault allegation, I would give them the benefit of the doubt.

However, if either Romo or McElroy put themselves in the same situation Roethlisberger did — going out to clubs, drinking and inviting girls back to a VIP area, all while facing allegations of sexual assault in Nevada — I wouldn’t hold back much. If this had been any other quarterback without Auburn or Pittsburgh ties, I’m certain I would begin associating their poor decision making with a lack of self control which could easily lead to something like this.

I’m not making a call on his guilt or innocence, yet, in my opinion, Roethlisberger no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt, and we must now seriously question his maturity and intelligence. Although the Steelers won’t say it publicly, Roethlisberger’s stupid-ass decisions will force the organization to consider the franchise risk Roethlisberger brings to the Steelers.

The Steelers kicked off the NFL season last night with a 13-10 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. It was a typical AFC North slugfest between two old foes. There were plenty of fireworks before the game as the Steelers celebrated their sixth Super Bowl championship but the offenses fizzled until the fourth quarter.

It was the kind of game you expect from these clubs. Two extremely well coached defenses who prefer to play conservative offensively stymied each other’s attempts to get anything going. The Titans, as so many teams did last year, zeroed in on the Pittsburgh ground game and rendered it ineffective. Once again the Steelers, known more for their grind it out physical style of play, put their trust in Ben’s arm. And Big Ben Roethlisberger delivered going 33-of-43 for 363 yards.

The Titans and the Steelers blew chances to win the game in regulation. Normally reliable Jeff Bironas missed a 37 yard FG and had another 31 yarder blocked. Himes Ward fumbled while trying to muscle his way to the goal line with less than two minutes left in regulation.

It looks like the Steelers will continue to win ugly games this year as teams gear up to stop the run. A telling sign of Pittsburgh’s ineffective rushing attack occurred late in the fourth on a 3rd and 1 inside Titans territory when the Steelers lined up in the shotgun. Yes, it’s a ‘take what they give you’ league and Big Ben completed a quick slant to Santanio Holmes for a 10 yard gain. Somewhere down the line teams like Tennessee might beat the Steelers if they can’t rely on pushing defenses around for one or two yards on third down. But on this night Ben’s arm and scrambility (new word) followed the same familiar script that led them to the Super Bowl last year.

One last note, and possibly the biggest of the game, All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee late in the second quarter. A sprained MCL usually sidelines a player from 3 to 6 weeks.

The pre-season football schedule really gets rolling tonight with four games on the schedule two of which hold some intrigue.
Cowboys and Raiders from Oakland tonight. Hottie and gay favorite Tony Romo removed two drama queens, Terrell Owens and Jessica, from his life during the off season and the Cowboys will be improved this year with Felix Jones and Marty B playing big roles. Roy Williams has to prove that he can fill TO’s shoes in Dallas. But I still think the Cowboys are the third best team in the NFC East.

Then there’s the annual Super Bowl rematch between the Steelers and Cardinals @8:00 EST on ESPN. One of the story lines will certainly focus on the Roethlisberger lawsuit.. Already in his 4th year, look for Santonio Holmes to become Ben’s favorite target. Will Willie Parker be able to make it through another full season? He’s probable tonight with back spasms, not a good sign for Steeler fans who need a productive running game to start the offense.

It’s the return of always styling Tom Brady tonight at Philly and the Eagles look loaded on offense. Really interested in getting my first look at how rookie running back LeSean McCoy will fit into the Eagles offense.

Finally, it’s the Battle for the Capitol as Washington travels to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. My pick to click this year; Washington QB Jason Campbell.

Let’s get it on.

Oh yea if anyone is interested in joining a gay fantasy league (insert your own pun here) for football let me know by commenting on this post.