Roethlisberger Losing Backers After Second Assault Charge

NFL News - March 9th, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

Ben Roethlisberger was able to escape the ire of public opinion the first time he was accused of sexual assault, primarily because of contradictory accounts of the incident and the untimely accusations by the victim.

Then there was the fact that his pristine image hadn't previously been muddied.

This time around, a second report in less than 12 months has those with a vested interest in the Steelers' quarterback sweating a bit more.

A restaurant in Milledgeville, Georgia, the city in which the alleged assault took place, erased and renamed their "Roethlis-burger" on Monday. And on Tuesday, ProFootballTalk reports that the makers of "Big Ben Beef Jerky" are pulling the plug on the product in lieu of further investigation.

"It's just very concerning," PLB Sports president and CEO Ty Ballou told the USA Today, via PFT. "Ben is a single guy. He has every right to be out doing what he's doing. But when you're the quarterback of any team, especially the Steelers, you have to take extra measures...Obviously, this is very concerning for all parties. This is the second time this has come out.

"It's troubling," Ballou added. "You want the off-season to be quiet. You have to put yourself in a good positions. And Ben unfortunately hasn't. You even go back to the motorcycle accident. Whatever happened down there (in Georgia), I hope this will truly be the last time something like this happens. Ben's a good person. He does a lot for charity. But for his career, his fans and his family, you have to make good decisions."

Roethlisberger has hired Atlanta star attorney Ed Garland to handle the case, although no charges have been filed yet. Garland has handled rapper T.I.'s gun case in 2008, and Ray Lewis' murder case in 2000.

Garland said Monday, "The facts show that there was no criminal activity. No sexual assault occurred. Ben is completely innocent of any crime."

Investigating officers are planning to gather DNA evidence in the next few days.

Roethlisberger met the 20-year old college student at Capital City, a nightclub in the area, while spending time at his lake home in Milledgeville.

For practicality's sake, it's not likely that Roethlisberger, who publicly admits he likes to enjoy the nightlife, will give up partying. But it may behoove him to make sure one of his posse sticks to his hip at all times to serve as a lead witness from now on.

There is no way to jump to conclusions so early on such a sensitive matter, but the victim here gains a lot more credibility than the last one because of her prompt reporting of the incident, and the fact that it's the second time.

And athletes will continually be thrown into compromising situations, and the world of digital recorders and TMZ won't spare them when money is available for dirt. But always having a witness available for full testimony could help squash rumors as quickly as they surface, and could help NFL player Ben Roethlisberger avoid hiring a super-attorney like Garland next time around.