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Steelers QB accused of sexual assault in Georgia
By Kate Brumback
March 5, 2010
Milledgeville, GA — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being investigated in an allegation of sexual assault at a Georgia nightclub, police said Friday.
Officers said the alleged assault occurred early Friday morning in Milledgeville, about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta. The player owns a home about 30 miles to the north on Oconee Lake.
The two-time Super Bowl champion and some of his friends were seen visiting local restaurants and bars Thursday night. Roethlisberger turned 28 on Tuesday.
Deputy Police Chief Richard Malone said Roethlisberger had been with three other people who were mingling with another group that included the alleged victim. Malone said the woman, a 20 year old college student, and her party contacted a nearby police officer following the alleged assault.
"He's been identified as being at the scene and there are allegations naming him as the perpetrator," Malone said.
Several areas of the bar were considered a crime scene, Malone said, but he would not elaborate.
Roethlisberger and the alleged victim have been interviewed and the woman was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released, Malone said.
Police said Roethlisberger and his attorney were cooperating with investigators. He was not in custody and has not been charged with a crime.
Separately, Roethlisberger has been sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. The Steelers star denies those allegations and has asked for counter-damages.
The player's agent, Ryan Tollner, said in a statement that they are skeptical of the motive of the alleged victim in Milledgeville because of the previous Lake Tahoe allegations against the player.
"Last night, Ben and his friends met a group of women and everyone mingled together throughout the evening," the statement said. "We have spoken to law enforcement. Based on information currently available, an allegation was made against Ben, which appeared to be dismissed after a preliminary investigation last night. Obviously, given the prior accusation against Ben, we are skeptical of motive, but we will continue to cooperate with everyone involved."
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the team was gathering information and had no more comment.
The owner of a restaurant near the nightclub said Roethlisberger and some of his friends came in earlier Thursday night.
"He was very polite with everybody," said Frank Pendergrast, owner of The Brick. "He was down here from about 11:30 until about 1:30 having a good time, talking to a lot of people. Looked like he was signing autographs and letting people take pictures. Other than that, it was really uneventful."
Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick out of Miami of Ohio in 2004, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to Super Bowl victories at the end of the 2006 and 2008 seasons. But while he has been a huge success on the field, Roethlisberger has had his share of problems off it.
Besides the Lake Tahoe allegations, Roethlisberger broke his jaw and several other facial bones in 2006 when he got into a motorcycle crash while driving without a valid license
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Redskins don't make usual free agency splash
By Joseph White
March 5, 2010
Ashburn, VA — Washington Redskins fans woke up to a new routine on the first day of free agency. There was no dramatic overnight deal with a marquee name, the biggest indicator yet of a change of philosophy now that Mike Shanahan is in charge.
Instead of courting, say, Julius Peppers with an over-the-top offer, the Redskins pragmatically sought to solve their biggest problem Friday by courting veteran offensive linemen. The team also re-signed defensive lineman Phillip Daniels, versatile backup Lorenzo Alexander and offensive lineman Mike Williams.
By this time a year ago, the Redskins had lured Albert Haynesworth with an offer so large even he couldn't believe it, wrapping up a $100 million contract by 3:45 a.m. Such fast, aggressive deals had become the norm under owner Dan Snyder.
But Snyder yielded the reins to the new brain trust of coach Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen after last year's 4-12 record.
Needing help at both tackle positions, the Redskins targeted Tony Pashos, who has played seven seasons with Baltimore, Jacksonville and San Francisco.
Pashos played in only five games with the 49ers last year before breaking his left shoulder blade, but he could still represent an upgrade over Stephon Heyer at right tackle.
With six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels retiring due to a neck injury, the Redskins invited 10-year veteran Chad Clifton for a visit, but Clifton reportedly re-signed with the Green Bay Packers late Friday.
The Redskins also need linebackers suited for their switch to a 3-4 defense. Larry Foote, who led the Detroit Lions in tackles last year despite missing two games with a foot injury, said he will visit the Redskins on Monday.
Daniels, who turned 37 on Thursday, was spared in the purge of veterans on the eve of free agency when the Redskins cut 10 players, including seven who are 30 or older. He made a successful return last season after missing all of 2008 with a knee injury and was rewarded with a two-year contract.
Alexander, who has played offensive line, defensive line and special teams, got a three-year deal and will learn yet another new position, working at linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.
Williams, a former No. 4 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills, made a comeback last season after three years away from the game. He made five starts at guard, three at tackle and could be in the running for the starting right guard position following the release of Randy Thomas on Thursday.
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