Big Ben

By: Molly Cody (Penn State University & The SLIZ Team)

Become A Fan Of The SLIZ On Facebook

It seems like there is a new story revolving around some (insert football, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc. star here) pretty much all the time. And why does it seem that way? Because either someone just tested positive for steroids, broke up with their super model girlfriend, or has been charged with something that turns into this months’ biggest scandal. One week it’s Kobe Bryant, the next it’s Michael Vick, and now of course, there is Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger is the star quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and who, at just 28 years old, already has two Super Bowl rings under his belt. The QB has been signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004, when he was picked 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. Roethlisberger signed as the backup quarterback to Tommy Maddox; but when injury put Maddox on the bench, Roethlisberger stepped onto the field and has never looked back.

The city of Pittsburgh holds “Big Ben” in high esteem, because of his reputation on the field not off. After two Super Bowl rings, the fans want to see their star QB on the field ready to play for Pittsburgh’s seventh Super Bowl win.

The city of Pittsburgh and Steelers’ fans all over the world, however, may not look at Ben quite the same after a sexual assault lawsuit was filed against him on July 17, 2009 and now there has been a second one filed concerning a March 5, 2010 incident.

Back in 2009, Andrea McNulty, a Lake Tahoe casino hostess, filed a civil lawsuit against Roethlisberger alleging that he raped her at the casino a year ago. McNulty did not file a criminal complaint, so the police are not investigating the incident.

Ben vehemently denied the allegations to the press regarding the claims as “reckless and false.”

“Saturday was the first I heard of her accusations,” Roethlisberger said. “Her false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me. I would never, ever force myself on a woman.”

(Ben made fun of on season opener of South Park for sex addiction.)

Now, less than a year later, Roethlisberger is choking on the words that his lawyer so cleverly put together. Roethlisberger is currently being investigated by Georgia police for a sexual assault case in which a 20-year-old student was sexually assaulted at the bar Capitol City in Milledgeville. The accuser was seen out with the football star at various places throughout the night, and was later treated at Oconee RegionalMedical Center for sexual assault.

No charges have been filed and the investigation is still in process. The NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers have not released an official comment or take action against Roethlisberger but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has said that he is “highly concerned” about his starting quarter back.

So, what do college students think? Do hometowns stick behind their team no matter what? Do the NFL rivalries at campuses cause you to react to the allegations a certain way?

The Steelers, along with the entire NFL, have a dedicated student fan base, with college kids tuning in every week to watch their favorite team. Campuses across the nation each have their own particular college football rivalries, as well as NFL rivalries, and competition between cities can be brutal. As a Penn State student, I am no stranger to the ongoing Pittsburgh vs. Philly battle.

With the ongoing speculation of whether or not Ben did anything wrong, it will be essentially impossible for Pittsburgh not to be harassed or made fun of on campus. As most of us know, sometimes students can turn friendly competition into mean-spirited brawls, and now that Pittsburgh’s star QB is in the hot seat, yet again, I’m sure the hard feelings between cities won’t soften anytime soon.

Follow The SLIZ On Twitter