# Big Ben in Big Trouble? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 11, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116 "2010-03-11T16:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/41 "2010-03-24T17:58:37Z")
Yeah, he’s probably off the hook. Whether he’s capable of learning anything from this remains to be seen. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/42 "2010-03-25T04:43:44Z")
They don’t need his DNA if he stipulating to having contact with the girl, which it sounds like he did. They also don’t need his DNA if there was no DNA recovered from the girl, which it sounds like there wasn’t. If there was DNA recovered, the charge would be rape, not sexual assault. My personal opinion is that this goes away without incident. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/43 "2010-03-25T12:05:08Z")
Meanwhile, hilarity ensues… [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Not-being-raped-by-Ben-Roethlisberger/351702442630?ref=pymk&v=wall](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Not-being-raped-by-Ben-Roethlisberger/351702442630?ref=pymk&v=wall) [![](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/Rothlisberger.jpg) ](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/Rothlisberger.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/44 "2010-03-25T14:41:34Z")
So, not only are the police no longer seeking Ben’s DNA, but the alleged victim hasn’t shown up for a second interview, her BAC on the night in question was reportedly .20, and oddest of all, the night club security footage of that night’s events mysteriously gets overwritten by the club’s DVR recorder. This is crazy. Something stinks. > **[Curious developments in case against Roethlisberger](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/curious-developments-in-case-against-roethlisberger)** > > Maybe it's a coincidence, but it's strange how the case of alleged sexual assault against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has begun to publicly unravel in the three days since Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation for the first... ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/45 "2010-03-25T14:53:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > If there’s only circumstantial evidence that I committed a crime, a jury HAS to turn me loose. Sorry - late to the party here, but this simply isn’t true. You can be convicted on circumstantial evidence only, and many people are. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/46 "2010-04-10T13:02:47Z")
[Big Ben](http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/09/espn-roethlisberger-wont-be-charged/) not to be charged according to an ESPN reporter. Ben’s attorney says he has not yet heard. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/47 "2010-04-10T14:52:16Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > So, not only are the police no longer seeking Ben’s DNA, but the alleged victim hasn’t shown up for a second interview, her BAC on the night in question was reportedly .20, and oddest of all, the night club security footage of that night’s events mysteriously gets overwritten by the club’s DVR recorder. > > This is crazy. Something stinks. > > [Curious developments in case against Roethlisberger - NBC Sports](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/25/curious-developments-in-case-against-roethlisberger/) There is nothing mysterious about the tape being overwritten, thats how all security camera systems work. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/48 "2010-04-10T15:53:02Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > There is nothing mysterious about the tape being overwritten, thats how all security camera systems work. It isn’t _mysterious_, its _suspicious_ that it was overwritten that quickly while an investigation was under way. I’m willing to bet that the reason the tapes were magically overwritten had more to do with showing the underage girl that’s alleging the sexual assault drinking at the bar than it does with Ben. I know how the DVR systems work, I own one at my business. Most of them are set up to not start overwriting after only a few days. Mine keep a month’s worth of footage from all 10 cameras before overwriting occurs. I find it highly unlikely that the girl just showed up at that club already intoxicated to the .20 level as is claimed. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/49 "2010-04-10T21:07:13Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > No. Ask the Vikings. Or the Colts. I grant you that a QB needs a healthy dash of self-esteem, but as long as we’re applying this to on-field play, your QB also needs to know where the limits are. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/50 "2010-04-13T03:16:12Z")
“Nice normal guys” generally don’t end up looking like losers on [Drunk Athletes](http://drunkathlete.com/) (well, at least not multiple times) [In other news, the Steelers have traded to the Jets.](http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Confirm-Santonio-Holmes-Trade/9c34019c-e62b-44c8-83f1-4e18763c59cb) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/51 "2010-04-13T15:26:43Z")
I wonder if Goodell can now even justifiably suspend Roethlisberger. I mean, he hasn’t even been charged with anything. As far as we know, he had sex with a drunk girl in a bathroom. In most normal guy circles, this is usually a badge of honor. I admit that I’ve actually done the same thing twice. One was with a girlfriend, and once it was with a co-worker (we were both drinking and it was her idea). Would it have been okay if he took her back to his hotel room? I suppose the discussion will now shift to whether athletes need to hold themselves to a higher standard of behavior. But as far as I’m concerned, he hasn’t done anything wrong except having had the misfortune of hooking up with 2 golddiggers. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/52 "2010-04-13T15:36:44Z")
As far as we know he could have actually raped her too. We don’t know anything. It’s pretty convenient for Ben that the security video got taped over, and it’s also kind of funny that the investigating officer got a fan picture taken with Roethlisberger. If he took advantage of a drunk, underaged girl in the bathroom, that’s pretty sleazy whether he thought it was rape or not. Isn’t having sex in a public bathroom still a crime even if its consensual (or at least as consensual as it can get with an inebriated minor)? If nothing else, he’s a moron to do something like that after already having been accused once before. It sounds like they don’t have the evidence to charge him with anything, but I wouldn’t want him on my team. I think the NFL and the Steelers could still discipline him for engaging in such inappropriate public behavior, even if he wasn’t criminally charged with anything. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/53 "2010-04-13T15:38:16Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I wonder if Goodell can now even justifiably suspend Roethlisberger. I mean, he hasn’t even been charged with anything. As far as we know, he had sex with a drunk girl in a bathroom. In most normal guy circles, this is usually a badge of honor. I admit that I’ve actually done the same thing twice. One was with a girlfriend, and once it was with a co-worker (we were both drinking and it was her idea). Would it have been okay if he took her back to his hotel room? I suppose the discussion will now shift to whether athletes need to hold themselves to a higher standard of behavior. But as far as I’m concerned, he hasn’t done anything wrong except having had the misfortune of hooking up with 2 golddiggers. Maybe, maybe not. Goodell under the NFL conduct policy can in fact suspend Ben despite a lack of criminal charges if he feels Ben’s actions somehow tarnished the league, his team or the image of the league. I’ve also been seeing some predictions that Ben may be required to enter the NFL substance abuse treatment program for alcohol abuse. It’ll be interesting. I think Ben is meeting with the commish today. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/54 "2010-04-13T15:40:14Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > As far as we know, he had sex with a drunk girl in a bathroom. How do we know that? I’m pretty sure he denied having sex with her at all. At the time, it was considered a dumb move on his part because if there was any evidence that they had sex he would be caught in a lie. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/55 "2010-04-13T15:47:44Z")
> [@Carmady](#): > > How do we know that? I’m pretty sure he denied having sex with her at all. If I recall, he admitted to having consensual sex with immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/56 "2010-04-13T15:59:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > As far as we know he could have actually raped her too. We don’t know anything. You could say this about anyone that’s alive. > [@](#): > > It’s pretty convenient for Ben that the security video got taped over, and it’s also kind of funny that the investigating officer got a fan picture taken with Roethlisberger. But you can’t logically hold any of this as evidence against him, legal or otherwise > [@](#): > > If he took advantage of a drunk, underaged girl in the bathroom, that’s pretty sleazy whether he thought it was rape or not. She obviously wasn’t underage (for sex), and maybe she took advantage of him while HE was drunk. It’s not only men that do stupid, selfish things when they’re drunk. > [@](#): > > Isn’t having sex in a public bathroom still a crime even if its consensual (or at least as consensual as it can get with an inebriated minor)? Maybe, although she would be just as guilty as him > [@](#): > > If nothing else, he’s a moron to do something like that after already having been accused once before. So he should be forced into a policy of no random hook-ups? He’s probably had sex with hundreds of women who never accused him of rape. > [@](#): > > It sounds like they don’t have the evidence to charge him with anything, but I wouldn’t want him on my team. Your team would consist of Tim Tebow and the BYU second string.😃 > [@](#): > > I think the NFL and the Steelers could still discipline him for engaging in such inappropriate public behavior, even if he wasn’t criminally charged with anything. You’re probably right on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/57 "2010-04-13T16:08:09Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > If I recall, he admitted to having consensual sex with immediately. “KDKA, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, reported Roethlisberger told police and others in his party he did not have sexual intercourse with the young woman.” So it looks like he admitted there was non-specific “sexual contact”, but clearly denies having sexual intercourse with the woman. A very stupid move if he actually had sex with her, because he could have easily been caught in a lie, at which point nobody would have believed any explanations. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/58 "2010-04-13T18:36:41Z")
She was blowing him. How else would she have suffered the “head” injury? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/59 "2010-04-13T18:50:08Z")
[Terry Bradshaw To Roethlisberger: ‘Fight The Temptation’](http://www.wpxi.com/sports/23134642/detail.html) BTW, word on the street is that Big Ben is a misnomer. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116/60 "2010-04-13T20:05:07Z")
Now there’s an alleged THIRD incident! [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2010/04/13/2010-04-13\_steelers\_qb\_ben\_roethlisberger\_meets\_with\_nfl\_commissioner\_roger\_goodell\_as\_more.html](http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2010/04/13/2010-04-13_steelers_qb_ben_roethlisberger_meets_with_nfl_commissioner_roger_goodell_as_more.html) And lost a sponsor: [Owner drops Ben Roethlisberger from 'Big Ben Beef Jerky' endorsement deal](http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/04/owner-drops-ben-roethlisberger-from-big-ben-beef-jerky-endorsement-deal/1?loc=interstitialskip) I’m sorry, but he’s going to be suspended. Ben looks like he’s spiraling out of control. Oh yeah, and what’s up with the mullet and blonde curls he sported at his apology? Blech. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ben-in-big-trouble/532116.md?page=4)