Big Ben Barbequed

If you’re a casual sports fan, you’ve probably heard about the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault case that came up last week. Since the story broke, the entire world has wanted his head. Stephen A. Smith was interviewed Tuesday on ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Both men cited that even if he’s acquitted, he should be suspended. Let me repeat: even if he's ACQUITTED, meaning all these charges are fabricated. Although this situation has brought immense negativity to the Pittsburgh Steelers and therefore the NFL, should we be so fast to crucify the man? Now if he’s convicted, heck, even if he settles out of court I will be the first to stand up and demand punishment. But for right now stop your agenda, think rationally, and take a look at the FACTS that we have right now. As of right now, the only thing that he can be blamed for is bad judgment, and even that could be debatable. Well, looking at the “Drink Like a Champion” picture with the 2009 case accuser Andrea McNulty, maybe bad judgment is a slam dunk charge. Classy Ben, simply classy.

Speaking of the judiciary debacle of last summer, could this current outcry be influenced by the charges brought up against him last year? Once again, going back to the facts, there is no reason this should have any pull. It was just some nut-job looking for a payday. Ben was acquitted of all charges. So now, to the current facts. Here’s what we know. Roethlisberger celebrated his 28th birthday in the middle of nowhere, also known as Milledgeville, Georgia. He then went to an Atlanta area night club. At said night club, he then met a young woman. Later the woman went to a local hospital to treat some injuries (including a head injury) and stated she had been sexually assaulted by Roethlisberger. So far, those are the only FACTS that we have. Everything else is hearsay. No debate. End of story. At this point, for all we know this could be another wacko trying to get some buyout from a loaded professional athlete. There are something about this story that do seem a little different from the 2009 incident, but still, at this moment it’s all gossip. There has been nothing done or said yet that force the media to condemn the guy.

Amid the new TMZ world of celebrity idolization and constant surveillance, apparently no one is safe. At one point in our history, sexual assault meant rape and only rape by intercourse. As our society progressed, so did our legislation concerning sexual assault, and now the term describes a number of actions ranging from an ill-advised inappropriate touch to full-fledged felony. The unfortunate mental remnant is that “sexual assault,” is actually translated by the public as “rape.” Yes, any action associated with “sexual assault” is wrong, but there is a big difference between a stupid drunk dude slapping a girl on the butt in a bar and a predator raping someone in an alleyway. Unfortunately in our legal system, the term “sexual assault” applies to both. At this point, Roethlisberger has admitted that there was sexual contact, but no intercourse ever took place according to an article by CBS News. Other details are emerging that are pushing the situation in Roethlisberger’s favor. Apparently two off-duty police officers were with him the entire evening and “didn’t see ANYTHING inappropriate” according to the Associated Press. To be fair, these are also both unconfirmed reports, but given the circumstances and other statements made thus far, I’m already starting to lean Big Ben’s way.

I’m not saying he’s innocent, I’m just not saying he’s guilty. With seemingly dozens of cases where celebrities and people of power have worked our judicial system through big bucks and slick lawyers, it’s easy to be skeptical and go looking for blood. But let’s wait to bring out the torches and pitchforks until we’ve got something to go on. Until then, we just look like a bunch of misinformed quacks. Also, it discredits the times when the court of public opinion may truly be in the right. OJ anyone?