I agree that it would be somewhat inappropriate for Goodell to believe he can make a decision that the courts don't think they can, but that's presumably not what's happening here - Roethlisberger is being suspended for allowing himself to get caught in a position that doesn't cast the league in a good light. If the girl had then done an article saying that she loved taking it up the arse in public toilets, no harm no foul, presumably Goodell would still have suspended him. That's the only way this works.
I know he's (probably) not innocent, but he's legally innocent. If Goodell wants to suspend him to uphold a code of conduct fine, but six games? That's harsh.
Maybe the Comish needs to have a sit down with Mr. Pace? And explain to him how this thing works. Clearly he didn't get the memo/email.
That's the point, technically, he wasn't. I doubt anyone feels sorry for him, but soon enough the commissioner will go too far, on someone who really doesn't deserve any punishment. And that's when fans will be crying about him having dictatorial powers over damn near everything.
1) I think every time something like this happens with a pro athlete involved it gets over-blown. People know they can make lot's of money over this and they use it... especially in the US. 2) I think Goodell has every right to decide what is detrimental to the league and what isn't.. but he is setting the bar extremely high... too high in my opinion. He shouldn't be a friggin' moralizer... 3) Regarding my personal opinion about what happened I think if a girl is drunk and wants to have sex with someone because she's lost her inibitions and then wakes up the next day and decides now she doesn't want it anymore she's the stupid one. She wasn't RAPED... she agreed to have sex with the guy and then the day after felt like a bitch and decided to blame Big Ben and Alcohol instead of herself. I can't stand these kind of women ala Paris Hilton etc... but nooo when there's a pro athlete involved it's always his fault. And what I really hate is that when it's actually the athletes fault the case just gets confused with all of this bullshit... Hope I cleared it up for you.
PS And I know I'm going to get bashed for my opinions but in the world not all women are saints and not all are bitches... but when these things happens they are more the latter than the former (or in the best case scenario they are just stupid). Problem is that the press pictures them up as perfect angels with wings that teach to kindergartners, never drink or smoke and collect stuffed cute animals... because by stirring up a drama they can sell more copies and make more money. Wake up!
Wow, could Pace have said anything more tone-deaf: “That’s too much. I think something had to be done, but I don’t know about six games. Obviously I don’t make decisions, but I think a four-game would have been cool.” I'm sure the chick who claims she was raped would have been cool with four games too. What a fucking moron.
Did you even read what happened to her? She said no and immediately left and reported this to the first police officer she spotted. Her friends were restrained by Ben's entourage and kept away from her. The guy is a disgusting piece of shit and deserves to be behind bars.
I'll give you one good reason. The Courts do not equal justice. They never have. Just because you don't get convicted doesn't mean you didn't commit the crime. Given the details in the police report I bet he did rape the girl, but there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute. Remember that the standard of evidence for a criminal act is very difficult - beyond a reasonable doubt. That's why the girl in Nevada is in civil court - the standard of evidence required is lower.
I also read the girl was wearing a name tag all night that said "DTF" (down to F***) All things considered Ben wasn ever convicted... But you need to hold the NFL to a higher standard, they don't need their star quarterbacks risking this stuff, he needs to be smarter than messing around with drunk college girls while wasted.
so it is your contention that suspensions can only be doled out for criminal convictions? that's a pretty ridiculous criteria.
Commissioner A person who has a commission or warrant to perform some office, or execute some business, for the government, corporation, or person employing him; as, a commissioner to take affidavits or to adjust claims. So yea he kinda does have "dictatorial powers over damn near everything NFL".
The way Jutty described it is what I read as well only it was one of the girl's friends who went directly to the first police officer she saw outside the club.
now you are simply making up scenarios to defend your position rather than dealing with the reality of what has been stated to have occurred. how about you deal with the actual accusations rather than simply make up your own fantasy that doesn't apply.
So you're blaming the victim? That's bullshit. I don't care if she wore a sign that spelled out "Come screw me now" if she says no, don't have sex with her, it is called Rape. Women aren't allowed to change their minds?
