Goodell reduces Roethlisberger's suspension to four games

Splat · 09-03-2010, 10:46 AM

Roger Goodell reduces Ben Roethlisberger's suspension to four games

Quote:

As expected, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reduced Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suspension to four games.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network was the first to report that Goodell reduced the suspension, after Roethlisberger met with Goodell today. The NFL confirmed that the suspension will be four games.

Shiver · 09-03-2010, 12:05 PM

I know he probably did, but come on, what kind of a league is this that suspends a guy for something he didn't even get charged with?

Hines · 09-03-2010, 12:07 PM

Yeah, let's suspend Young, Rogers, Mauluga, and Benson now. This is ********.

bigbluedefense · 09-03-2010, 12:11 PM

Goodell's punishments have nothing to do with the crime itself.

It has everything to do with how much publicity your crime or accusation receives. He's a politician of sorts.

You could do nothing, but get a ton of bad media for it, and he'll lay the hammer down on ya. You could actually commit a crime, and no one will broadcast it much, and he'll sweep it under the rug.

Goodell is all about public perception.

Nalej · 09-03-2010, 12:17 PM

Exactly. It's negative publicity for the league... that's why he suspends them

Shiver · 09-03-2010, 12:21 PM

Which is BS. The NFLPA needs to really stick up for its players in the new CBA. There is no way that the commissioner should have that kind of authority and discretion. Not only that, but he is the one who the players have to talk to to get an appeal! Judge, Jury, Executioner all in one.

bigbluedefense · 09-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Yeah it is BS. I do like a lot of things that Goodell does, as I feel he's a very progressive commisioner, but sometimes I do feel he has too much power.

A Perfect Score · 09-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Being seriously accused of rape and having the judge come out and say he wished he could convict you is a hell of a lot different then punching someone in a bar fight. I'm sorry, but thats an absolutely ******** comparison.

bigbluedefense · 09-03-2010, 12:52 PM

I do feel Ben did do it, the evidence against him is pretty damning, but I'm just saying in general, Goodell is unfair with his punishments.

A Perfect Score · 09-03-2010, 12:55 PM

I wouldn't say unfair, but he's erratic. I think he handles each case individually with no regard to precedent, which is unusual to many of us since most justice systems we are familiar with are based on systems that rely heavily on precedent. Regardless, I just think its stupid to compare VY punching someone in a bar, which I guarantee 90% of NFL players have done, to Ben raping some girl and almost being convicted. For me, there is a colossal difference in the nature of both those crimes, and one deserves a suspension and one doesnt.

wonderbredd24 · 09-03-2010, 12:56 PM

If Roethlisberger was doing anything else for a living, he would've been fired.

4 games of 1 season is an extremely light punishment

yourfavestoner · 09-03-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiver

Which is BS. The NFLPA needs to really stick up for its players in the new CBA. There is no way that the commissioner should have that kind of authority and discretion. Not only that, but he is the one who the players have to talk to to get an appeal! Judge, Jury, Executioner all in one.

I said this would happen the second the new personal conduct policy was announced. Every move he makes is 100% dictated by PR and image, logic and precedence are not factors, as I predicted.

Pacman Jones ruined things for the common NFL player and Michael Vick ruined it for the star players.

Smooth Criminal · 09-03-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

I wouldn't say unfair, but he's erratic. I think he handles each case individually with no regard to precedent, which is unusual to many of us since most justice systems we are familiar with are based on systems that rely heavily on precedent. Regardless, I just think its stupid to compare VY punching someone in a bar, which I guarantee 90% of NFL players have done, to Ben raping some girl and almost being convicted. For me, there is a colossal difference in the nature of both those crimes, and one deserves a suspension and one doesnt.

Almost got convicted? He didn't even get charged or arrested.

Not that I agree with the notion that young should be suspended, but to say Ben almost got convicted is just plain wrong.

A Perfect Score · 09-03-2010, 01:36 PM

The judge in the case was quoted as saying that he wished he could convict Ben, as the evidence was fairly damning. I'll go back and read the actual thread and find the article if I have to, because the actual hangup is eluding me right now, but there was very little doubt as to whether he actually did it. Regardless, the circumstances and the nature of the accusations are a hell of a lot more serious then punching someone in a bar fight, at least if you ask me.

Hines · 09-03-2010, 01:45 PM

I agree with Big Ben getting suspended, but I do think it's a little harsh considering he never got charged or arrested. The VY thing is meh, because a bar fight is whatever. But Shaun Rogers, Ray Malauga, and Cedric Benson going on their what, 3rd? offense and yet they get a slap on the wrist? I don't care who the player is. If they get arrested and/or charged, they should get suspended just as much as Ben has. That's where I have a problem.

BigDawg819 · 09-03-2010, 01:47 PM

Once is an accident, twice is the start of a trend.

Ben brought this on himself, his arrogant and disruptive off the field actions got him in trouble 2 straight years and frankly he warranted the suspension. Politics aside, Goodell had to make an example of him and to Ben's credit he cleaned up and did more then what was required of him.

Hines · 09-03-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

Once is an accident, twice is the start of a trend.

Ben brought this on himself, his arrogant and disruptive off the field actions got him in trouble 2 straight years and frankly he warranted the suspension. Politics aside, Goodell had to make an example of him and to Ben's credit he cleaned up and did more then what was required of him.

See, I agree with this. He should be suspended for his dumbassness, not the crime he didn't comitt(allegedlly, I may add). 2 games seems fair if other players are getting off easy for crimes they get commited for.

J-Mike88 · 09-03-2010, 01:53 PM

what are the steelers doing these days to satisfy big ben's johnson and make sure no more of these rapes or allegations surface?
the tiger woods route? (none of those hundreds of ho's accused woods of rape).

it's hard to trust women. many are gold diggers, and ben has earned himself a reputation that makes him an easy, and vulnerable target going forward.

BigDawg819 · 09-03-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinesWardJr

See, I agree with this. He should be suspended for his dumbassness, not the crime he didn't comitt(allegedlly, I may add). 2 games seems fair if other players are getting off easy for crimes they get commited for.

You need to stop looking at everyone else and just focus solely on Ben's rap sheet so to speak. 2 consecutive offseasons, 2 highly publicized sexual misconduct allegations. That merits his suspension for however many games its going to be, and frankly he's fortunate not to be facing criminal charges so the suspension should be the least of his concern. I get it, Steeler fans want their QB back ASAP well maybe they should direct that sentiment to their idiotic QB who can't seem to treat women with dignity and respect instead treats them as objects.

Goodell is not the bad guy in this scenario and people need to stop making him out to be the dark knight. Ben did this to Ben. Roger was and is just protecting the shield.

Smooth Criminal · 09-03-2010, 02:02 PM

I'd love to see any quote from a judge, because It's complete misconduct for a judge to want to convict someone before a trial.

And if it was so definite and evidence so damning, he'd have been charged. He wasn't because it was his word against hers, and she's not reliable at all. The case would have been a toss up at best because there was no evidence at all.

Hines · 09-03-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

You need to stop looking at everyone else and just focus solely on Ben's rap sheet so to speak. 2 consecutive offseasons, 2 highly publicized sexual misconduct allegations. That merits his suspension for however many games its going to be, and frankly he's fortunate not to be facing criminal charges so the suspension should be the least of his concern. I get it, Steeler fans want their QB back ASAP well maybe they should direct that sentiment to their idiotic QB who can't seem to treat women with dignity and respect instead treats them as objects.

Goodell is not the bad guy in this scenario and people need to stop making him out to be the dark knight. Ben did this to Ben. Roger was and is just protecting the shield.

But with Rodger wanting to be consistant, he sure isn't. Yeah it's all Ben's fault. Everyone agrees with that. All I'm saying is that if Rodger wants to be consistant and go by the double standard rule, he needs to start doing it. Not just giving other player's slaps on the wrist. Hopefully this will open up Ben's eyes and he'll learn his lesson and never do this again, but you never know. If it was Ray Lewis, I'd be doing the same thing. It's just not a Steeler thing if anyone is going to accuse me for that.

niel89 · 09-03-2010, 02:11 PM

I'm glad he kept it at 4 game, 3 and he would have been back for the Ravens game

CJSchneider · 09-03-2010, 02:19 PM

Dennis Dixon likes this.

Hines · 09-03-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJSchneider

Dennis Dixon likes this.

He should be liking Leftwich going down more.

BigDawg819 · 09-03-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinesWardJr

But with Rodger wanting to be consistant, he sure isn't. Yeah it's all Ben's fault. Everyone agrees with that. All I'm saying is that if Rodger wants to be consistant and go by the double standard rule, he needs to start doing it. Not just giving other player's slaps on the wrist. Hopefully this will open up Ben's eyes and he'll learn his lesson and never do this again, but you never know. If it was Ray Lewis, I'd be doing the same thing. It's just not a Steeler thing if anyone is going to accuse me for that.

First I wasn't saying you were being a "homer", I was merely stating that Steeler fans need to channel any negative feelings onto Ben so he realizes he needs to grow up.

Secondly, Goodell can't be consist in these suspensions because he is taking every infraction on a case by case basis. That being being said, Ben's file has more paper so naturally he's not going to get a slap on the wrist with this being his 2nd time.