3-22-10 update: Latest ---- Ben Roethlisberger to meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss his dangerous behavior. Click here to read about it.
Updates below the video.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has hired high-profile attorneys today in response to complaints made by a 20-year-old Georgia College & State University student that Roethlisberger allegedly sexually assaulted her early Friday morning at a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga. Roethlisberger, nicknamed "Big Ben" by football fans, led his team to Super Bowl victories in 2006 and 2009.
Read more on ABC News.
TMZ reports: Ben Roethlisberger's alleged sexual assault victim is at home with her parents after dropping out of school. Multiple sources said the 20-year old woman dropped out of Georgia College & State University over the weekend. They said her folks picked her up in Milledgeville and brought her to the family home outside Atlanta.
How much will these allegations hurt Roethlisberger's image?
From USA Today.
One of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's hometown sponsors is expressing concern over the second accusation of sexual assault leveled against him in less than a year.
The pattern of Roethlisberger's off-the-field behavior, from his bar-hopping to his helmet-less motorcycle crash in 2006, is "troubling," said Ty Ballou, president and chief executive officer of Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, which markets the "Big Ben Beef Jerky" brand.
"It's troubling. You want the offseason to be quiet. You have to put yourself in a good positions. And Ben unfortunately hasn't," Ballou told USA TODAY on Monday.
"You even go back to the motorcycle accident. Whatever happened down there (in Georgia), I hope this will truly be the last time something like this happens. Ben's a good person. He does a lot for charity. But for his career, his fans and his family, you have to make good decisions."
Read more on USA Today.
Update 2: Ben's lawyer says he's innocent.
From ESPN.com
A high-profile defense attorney hired by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Monday disputed a college student's claim that the two-time Super Bowl winner sexually assaulted her at a Georgia nightclub. The 20-year-old told police Roethlisberger, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early Friday. Roethlisberger has not been charged. "The facts show that there was no criminal activity. No sexual assault occurred," attorney Ed Garland said in a statement Monday. "Ben is completely innocent of any crime."
Read more on ESPN.
Update 3: Ben admits to having sexual contact with Georgia coed. But says they didn't have intercourse.
CBS News reports...
Ben Roethlisberger admitted to police he had sexual contact with a woman accusing him of sexual assault at an Atlanta-area nightclub Friday night, but denies the two had intercourse, according to sources speaking to CBS Pittsburgh station KDKA. After the woman made the claim, police in Milledgeville, Ga. spoke with the two-time Super Bowl-winning Steelers quarterback, the station reports. And, notes CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor, those investigators say they intend to interview Roethlisberger again in coming days. He was at the club celebrating his 28th birthday.
Read the rest of the story on CBS News.
Update 4: Mike Florio with The Sporting News says Ben should settle with coed.
After former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison was sued by the man who claimed Harrison shot him in Philadelphia nearly two years ago, I gave Harrison some free advice, for which he surely got his money's worth.
Settle the case. Now that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger faces new sexual assault charges in Georgia, I'll give him some free advice, too. Settle the case.
Read the rest of this story on The Sporting News website.
Update:5 Are the Steelers growing tired of Ben's antics? NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora has reported that some in the organization believe another incident could end Roethlisberger's career in Pittsburgh. Big Ben isn't in danger of being cut or traded just yet, but the tide is starting to turn at the ownership level.
Mike Florio writes for Pro Football Talk...
As the Ben Roethlisberger investigation continues, the situation is having major potential ramifications within the walls of the Steelers organization. We've been picking up indications of strong disapproval within the Rooney family regarding this latest charge of sexual assault, regardless of whether the allegation is legitimate or fabricated. Jason La Canfora of NFL Network reported during Wednesday's "Around the League" segment on Total Access that Roethlisberger already has met with ownership regarding the latest ordeal, and that the Rooneys are sufficiently "dismayed" with the situation to cause some in the building to believe that another incident could result in the end of Ben's career in Pittsburgh. His well-publicized $102 million contract is moving toward the big-salary years, with his base pay of $4.75 million in 2009 shooting to $8.05 million in 2010. Next year, his salary moves to $11.6 million per year, and it stays there through 2014. In 2015, his base pay inches to $12.1 million.
Read the rest of this article on Pro Football Talk.
Update 6: Have the Steelers signed free-agent QB Randall El as a replacement for Ben? Charlie Cox with The Bleacher Report says yes.
It's been four years since the wide receiver Antwaan Randle El left the Steelers. The Steelers were able to bring back their original slot receiver after being released by the Washington Redskins. This was a big steal for the Steelers, as the Redskins appeared to never use Randle El's real talent. Jim Zorn was confused with what to do at the quarterback situation because of Jason Campbell's inability to lead his team to a winning season, yet the answer was right in front of him. After Ben Roethlisberger's second accusation of sexual assault, it is without doubt that the Steelers signed Randle El for that real talent that Jim Zorn couldn't see–his quarterbacking skills.
Read the rest of this story on The Bleacher Report.