This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
I never understood why there needs to be redemption stories for guys like Ben or Vick. They both committed acts that tarnished the league image and have seemingly changed their ways (at least for now). Why do they deserve special recognition just because they're succeeding in the NFL? I think Ben is focused on winning a super bowl and that should be enough redemption for himself.
At least Vick has kept his nose clean for 4 years, Roethlinsberger for what ? 4 months ?I hope this is a sarcastic thread
He was in jail for 2 of those years...........
And his coach keeps his feet clean....
This goes a little too far, but basically nails it.Vick started doing good things in the community, including working for causes to prevent exactly the sort of negative activity he'd participated in. Has Roethlisberger done anything like that?There's also the fact that Vick served time, while Ben basically got out of any serious punishment, possibly due in part to the fact that he's a celebrity and the cops were far too deferential to him (I believe one of them essentially wrote off the possibility of misconduct before the investigation began due to his celebrity) and the most serious of his potential victims decided she didn't want the negative attention that a criminal trial would bring to her.Redemption requires that you fall and that you redeem yourself with good deeds. Ben really hasn't done either.
Well said. Without hitting bottom--whatever the reasons for his fall being broken--there's no real redemption story.
There's a general sense that he dodged a bullet, which isn't the opposite of falling, but certainly isn't the same thing, either. A lot of people think it's likely that he sexually assaulted someone.* If a superstar quarterback sexually assaults someone and gets a 4 game suspension and made the butt of jokes, he's hardly "fallen." Thus, no redemption.* Before the Pittsburgh fanboys get their panties in a bunch ... this is simply what a lot of people think. There's no burden of proof applicable to what people are allowed to think. Nobody is saying he's obviously a rapist and should have gone to jail. It's a simple question of public perception, and you can't alter that by pointing out what did or didn't happen in the judicial process.
Yes. There have been multiple local news stories about Roethlisberger appearing at schools and charity events (hospitals, Project Bundle Up, charity football camps, etc.) around Pittsburgh. It is just like the national media to crucify someone for their disgressions while ignoring the good things they do.
Roethlisberger took a beating in the press for months and in the pocketbook in terms of fines, legal expenses, lost endorsements. He was also suspended for 4 games. The fall may not have been up to your liking but he paid a price.He publicly apologized to the Rooneys, his teammates and Steelers fans and as I said earlier HAS been very visible an approachable in terms of public appearances and charity work.I am not sure what else you want him to do...
I never said that
... only that his fall was broken. He had a soft landing.EDIT: Never mind ... I see Tobias' e-mail kind of implied "no fall".
A little off-topic. The OP was wondering why Roethlisberger isn't being touted as a huge redemption story like Michael Vick, that's all. Compared to Vick, Roethlisberger's -relatively-brief fall and the consequences he paid weren't particularly severe or long-lasting -- thus, no great redemption story.
Agreed.
Agreed.
There are certain people who will never forgive Ben or Vick for what they've done. There are others who will forgive both. I think it's perfectly fine to fall in either category. These guys made mistakes but do not necessarily deserve sympathy from anyone given the position they're currently in.
Again, not adressed by the OP. The OP's point was that the media is not making him out to be a great redemption story a la Michael Vick.
I agree. But there is no consensus about what he is 'guilty' of. Many think boorishness. Many think assault and rape. Many think nothing. Many think something in between. What story do they tell, if they were so inclined? It is a hard sell. If I'm Ben's agent, I don't want ANY redemption stories.
Yes -- very much on point. Sensible take.
That's very key, whatever actually happened alot of people think he raped/sexually harassed a woman.
Now I see where you were coming from regarding your recent posts regarding Roethlisberger and Steelers fans.
Has he done charity work too? Because if he's done charity work, then I'd say he should be forgiven for everything.
Oh come on now, Im just messing with you guys. My actual point remains though ..if the guy wins, people will forgive/forget. If Vick didn't light it up this year he'd have a lot more people who still didn't forgive him. But he lit it up, and people (including myself) starting hoping the guy really turned a corner, both personally and professionally.
Even Steelers fans were ripping Ben when that story broke. Now, here the Steelers are, deep into the playoffs, and here the Steelers' fans are, defending him. How much time has passed? A few months? Coincidence? I think not.
This is so ####in true
And for the record, this would work the same way for every other team, too. I'm not just trying to single out Steelers fans here.
He is who we thought he wasPerhaps you could share with the masses why you think his character's changed.I'd love to hear how you know this to be true.
That would be women. Three that we know of.
Yeah this is exactly my first thought, too. If I knife someone in the Walmart parking lot for stealing my parking spot but do a bang up job flipping burgers for the next six months, I'm a redemption story? Yeah that makes sense.
Just because you guys didn't read about Ben's charity work means that he didn't do it? Yeah that makes sense.Yeah this is exactly my first thought, too. If I knife someone in the Walmart parking lot for stealing my parking spot but do a bang up job flipping burgers for the next six months, I'm a redemption story? Yeah that makes sense.
You guys both also seem positive about something that investigators weren't positive about.http://northpotomac.patch.com/articles/she...s-qbs-charity-4
OJ Simpson did a lot of charity work, too. Great argument, guy.Just because you guys didn't read about Ben's charity work means that he didn't do it? Yeah that makes sense.Yeah this is exactly my first thought, too. If I knife someone in the Walmart parking lot for stealing my parking spot but do a bang up job flipping burgers for the next six months, I'm a redemption story? Yeah that makes sense.
You guys both also seem positive about something that investigators weren't positive about.
http://northpotomac.patch.com/articles/she...s-qbs-charity-4
