Roger Goodell defends his decision to suspend Ben Roethlisberger

[SJ_Browns]

here are some more interesting bits of info from goodell and a portion of the letter he sent to ben.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/th...ethlisberger-/1

From Goodell's letter to Ben: "You are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans," Goodell told Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger will not be allowed to participate in the Steelers' offseason workouts until his behavior is evaluated by medical professionals. The evaluators will confer with Goodell later this summer, and if Roethlisberger is progressing he will be allowed to participate in training camp and the preseason.

Goodell noted that Roethlisberger was charged with no crime. But he said the fact that the QB provided alcohol to underage people was a factor in his decision. "There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk," he told Roethlisberger.

Goodell spoke with Georgia DA Fred Bright, who decided not to charge Roethlisberger, as he considered the punishment. He told the QB to consider the ban not only a punishment but a second chance to reform his decision-making.

"In your six years in the NFL, you have first thrilled and now disappointed a great many people," he told Roethlisberger. "I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity to get your life and career back on track."

[SJ_Browns]

more from goodell on his decision.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/th...minal-charges/1

NEW YORK -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended his decision to suspend Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on Wednesday despite the absence of criminal charges against him.

Goodell banned Roethlisberger for six games under the league's personal-conduct policy. He was accused of sexual assault in Georgia on March 5, but the local DA declined to prosecute him and cited a lack of evidence needed for a conviction.

Goodell said the absence of a legal certainty did not affect his decision.

"You don't have to be convicted of a crime or even charged with a crime," Goodell said of his authority under the personal-conduct policy. "If there's a pattern of behavior that reflects poorly on yourself, your team, and the league in general, it's important for us to have early intervention to stop that behavior and to correct the behavior. And that's what our intent is here.

"Correct the behavior so that they live up to the standards people expect in the NFL."

Goodell scolded Roethlisberger in a letter announcing the suspension and said there was no doubt the Steelers QB had tarnished the league's image. Still, he ordered Roethlisberger into counseling and said his goal is to encourage the QB to make himself into a better person.

"The intention is to change the behavior," he said.

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

These are the two very main points the Commissioner made in his letter to Ben Roethlisberger:

First: 'The personal-conduct policy states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.”

Second: “Your conduct raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare.”

How come Antonio Cromartie can be drunk at a bar and accused of assult with a deadly weapon AND have 7 children to 6 different woman?....

Doesn't assult with a deadly weapon while drunk "...undermine or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players."?

Doesn't fathering over a half-dozen children to seven non-spouses and being named in five paternity suits in two years "... raises sufficient concerns that I believe effective intervention now is the best step for your personal and professional welfare.”?

$500,000 of his Jet's "advanced pay" went straight to unpaid child support.

How come Goodell has yet to suspend Cromartie?

Goodell is telling Ben and all the other players in the league it's OKAY under the "higher standards" of NFL players to impreganant 6 different woman (none of which you are married to) all in a span of four years and refuse to pay the child support on them until your team gives you the needed money in an advanced pay.

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

How come Antonio Cromartie has never been suspended by Goodell?

[Kosar_For_President]

Hold on let me shed a tear for you. Boo hoo bitch.

[The Gipper]

Sivlerback DPOY said:

How come Antonio Cromartie has never been suspended by Goodell?

How do you know he wasn't? In fact, I thought he was.

[choco]

after years of the nfl sucking the dick of the stools, you're bitching about unfair treatment?

Cry me a river....it about time. Go whine to someone who gives a rats ass

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

@choco said:

after years of the nfl sucking the dick of the stools, you're bitching about unfair treatment?

Cry me a river....it about time. Go whine to someone who gives a rats ass

Well, atleast your admitting it's unfair...But the point of my thread is the message it send to the rest of the league - impregnate all the women you want and only pay child supposed if your team specifically gives you the money you owe.... The two statements Goodell made that I posted I agree with 100%. I just wish Goodell wouldn't pick and choose you has to follow his standards - every player should.

[choco]

As opposed to giving him a slap on the wrist and lettong everyone know that abusong amd taking advantage of drunk college students is ok?

Hardly unfair....cromartie did something stupid while drunk and angry. Ben, on the other, repeatedly made the calculated decision to use his entourage to run cover while he bangs drunk chicks in a public bathroom.

Why am I not surprised you don't understand the difference. ...

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

@choco said:

As opposed to giving him a slap on the wrist and lettong everyone know that abusong amd taking advantage of drunk college students is ok?

Hardly unfair....cromartie did something stupid while drunk and angry. Ben, on the other, repeatedly made the calculated decision to use his entourage to run cover while he bangs drunk chicks in a public bathroom.

Why am I not surprised you don't understand the difference. ...

I'm not disagreeing with the 6 game suspension of Ben. I agree with Goodell's statement and a 6 game suspension sends a strong message....

The problem is no charges were filed in either case, but both did dumb (but legal things) while drunk at a bar. How could Ben make a "calculated decison" while drunk?

Certianly, Cromartie violated the rules according to both of Goodell's statements. If he violated the rules, why hasn't he been punished?

[SJ_Browns]

@choco said:

after years of the nfl sucking the dick of the stools, you're bitching about unfair treatment?

Cry me a river....it about time. Go whine to someone who gives a rats ass

EXACTLY! this isn't unfair treatement, ben got what he deserved. the dude is a serial sexual offender who has been doing things like this since college (and yes there are a few people with connections to miami u in ohio like rizzo that have said ben had a number of accusations that were swept under the rug by his school).

goodell was disgusted by the details of ben's behavior from what he read in the police reports and everything surrounding that situation along with the nevada situation and the 3rd sexual assualt accusation. ben is almost 30 and is hanging out with college girls and he likes to get them drunk so he can take advantage of them. no comparison at all with cromartie. i don't see ben arguing against goodell's comments, why should anyone else?

so in closing, cry me a freaking river, boo freaking hoo lol.

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

@the-gipper said:

How do you know he wasn't? In fact, I thought he was.

I googled it and nowhere did I find anything about him ever being suspended for anything, not to specifically mention his assult with a deadly weapon incident or fathering atleast 7 kids the past 4 years to 7 different women from 5 different states. If he has, please let me know.

[choco]

Best I can tell, cromartie is still under investigation...so presuming he won't face discipline is premature. Take it a step farther....reed supposedly assaulted a po. He's a known drunk as well who constantly is in the papers.

Why is he still playing?

[DAWGPOUND16]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPol...mp;pollId=89688

look at PA

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

@choco said:

Best I can tell, cromartie is still under investigation...so presuming he won't face discipline is premature. Take it a step farther....reed supposedly assaulted a po. He's a known drunk as well who constantly is in the papers.

Why is he still playing?

Becuase Goodell is a hypocite who never punsihes players fairly. I honestly don't know how owners, coaches and players especially can respect his rediculously obvious hypocrisy.

[SJ_Browns]

@choco said:

Best I can tell, cromartie is still under investigation...so presuming he won't face discipline is premature.

EXACTLY! that was my understanding, that cromartie was still under investigation. plus, how can anyone compare his situation to ben's? cromartie didn't rape women and get them pregnant. i'm not saying what cromartie is doing is right, because it isn't. all i'm saying is that his situation is totally different than ben's and is probably still under investiagtion.

why the hell is a steeler fan asking us these questions and filing their complaints to us lol. go holla at goodell, he's the one who made the call on ben.

btw, i'm glad bitchburgh finally got hit in the mouth. it's about time those spoiled brats get the red carpet pulled out from under them!!!

[choco]

if it helps ya sleep at night....whatever.

answer the question or stfu

[SJ_Browns]

@dawgpound16 said:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPol...mp;pollId=89688

look at PA

49% of pa. thinks it's a fair penalty, 26% think it's not enough of a penalty and 25% thinks it's too harsh of a penalty (7,023 votes).

52% of america thinks it's a fair penalty, 27% think it's not enough of a penalty and 21% think it's too harsh of a penalty (109,215 votes).

[Spunkonmyback DPOY]

@sj_browns said:

EXACTLY! that was my understanding, that cromartie was still under investigation. plus, how can anyone compare his situation to ben's? cromartie didn't rape women and get them pregnant. i'm not saying what cromartie is doing is right, because it isn't. all i'm saying is that his situation is totally different than ben's and is probably still under investiagtion.

why the hell is a steeler fan asking us these questions and filing their complaints to us lol. go holla at goodell, he's the one who made the call on ben.

btw, i'm glad bitchburgh finally got hit in the mouth. it's about time those spoiled brats get the red carpet pulled out from under them!!!

The situation is a bit different, but look at my thread on this issue. Look at the two quotes of Goodell talking about behavior and personal responsiblity. Cromartie's action certianly fall under Goodell's statements. Why doesn't he punish accordingly?

The atleast 6 kids in 4 years and refusal to pay child support is clear cut, not under investigation. At the very least, Goodell could meet with him and maybe suggest counseling. Instead, Goodell lets the Jets pay his child support.

[SJ_Browns]

and the spoiled brat pittsburgh boys continue their ongoing hissy fit while running around like a black and yellow chicken with it's head cut off!!