Ramifications and Forgiveness

This upcoming season of NFL football could not be a more perfect example of how all past transgressions are forgiven, if you have the talent and the status. It was almost five months to the day that Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, was accused of sexual assault outside a Milledgeville, GA nightclub. Fast forward to present day, and the only talk surrounding Roethlisberger is his suspension being reduced from six games to four, and the ramifications of him missing a quarter of the Steelers games.

Now, I can understand NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, reducing Roethlisberger's suspension, because Ben was never actually convicted of any crime, and fulfilled all the requirements of his rehabilitation. What is beyond comprehension is how quickly Steelers fans were willing to welcome Roethlisberger back with open arms; even cheering him at his first practice with the team. It appears they have either forgotten Roethlisberger's past behavior, or they simply do not care. Five months ago countless Steelers fans were calling in to every Pittsburgh radio station, berating Roethlisberger, and requesting that he be traded before the season. Less than half a year later, it's autographs and standing ovations at training camp.

While the facts of that fateful night in Milledgeville may be misconstrued and altered by doctors, police, and witnesses, the fact still remains that Roethlisberger acted unethically. Even if no sexual assault occurred that night, he was still having intercourse with a drunk girl in a nightclub bathroom. And let us not forget that this incident happened less than a year after Roethlisberger was accused of raping a woman at a hotel in Lake Tahoe. Call me crazy, but I do believe I see a pattern forming.

What is sad is that Ben is not the only football player receiving preferential treatment this season. Last June, then Browns wide receiver, Donte Stallworth, was driving drunk in Florida when he struck and killed Mario Reyes, who was trying to catch a bus to get home from work. Stallworth faced fifteen years in prison for DUI manslaughter, but was instead sentenced to thirty days (of which he was only required to serve twenty-four). If not for a broken foot that he suffered during a preseason game, Stallworth would be playing Week 1 for the Baltimore Ravens, after being suspended for all of the 2009 season.

I am well aware that everybody makes mistakes in their lives, and I am no different. I also believe everybody deserves a chance to make amends for their transgressions. But what separates me from the two athletes I have focused on is they receive second, third, fourth, and sometimes double-digit chances. And perhaps Roethlisberger and Stallworth will never have any future issues in their personal lives. Perhaps they will both be upstanding citizens and perfect role models from this point on. Personally, I would enjoy seeing that development, because while I don't think very highly of either man at this point in time, I believe the mistakes they have made could be examples to others, both on and off the football field. Every person deserves a chance at redemption, but just because some can throw or catch a touchdown pass, does not mean they are allowed to be redeemed any more swiftly than the rest of us.