NFL's Goodell will meet Steelers' Roethlisberger on troubles
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finds himself in more hot water today, this time with the National Football League.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sounded an ominous tone Tuesday for Mr. Roethlisberger during a news conference at the NFL meetings. Mr. Goodell said he wants to meet with him to talk about the sexual assault accusations that have been made against the Steelers quarterback over the past nine months.
"First, I think the most important thing is we take the issue very seriously," Mr. Goodell said. "We are concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position. I have spoken to the Steelers. I have spoken to Art Rooney directly about it. And at the appropriate time I will be meeting with Ben."
It is the first time Mr. Goodell has spoken about the Mr. Roethlisberger's case. The Steelers quarterback is under investigation in Georgia after he was accused by a 20-year-old female college student of sexual assault in the early morning hours of March 5. A woman in Nevada also has filed a civil lawsuit against Mr. Roethlisberger, accusing him of sexual assault.
A player -- or any NFL employee -- does not have to be convicted of a criminal charge to be disciplined by the league. For example, Mr. Goodell suspended Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall last season for one game and docked him two weeks' pay for violating the league's conduct policy after he was charged with several misdeeds, including domestic abuse. Mr. Marshall later was cleared of all charges.
Mr. Goodell also can order Mr. Roethlisberger to undergo counseling.
The accusations moved Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to say Saturday, "I'm highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally."
The coach made those comments to the NFL Network but declined to speak about his quarterback in any regard during a 30-minute interview with two Pittsburgh reporters Monday. Mr. Tomlin said he talked to the NFL Network about it "because it's the NFL Network and the NFL is one and the same."
Left unsaid is why he is so concerned about the Steelers franchise.
"I've said one comment and that's all I'm going to say," he added. "I'm not going to comment on the comment."
First Published March 23, 2010 12:00 am
