http://postgazette.com/pg/10111/1052202-100.stmBig Ben suspended for 6 games
Suspension could be cut to 4 games
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger today for a maximum of six games without pay to start the 2010 season, a suspension that could be reduced to four games if he successfully completes counseling or treatment mandated by the NFL.
Roethlisberger will not be able to participate in any team activity until he completes a professional behavioral evaluation.
The suspension means Roethlisberger will miss at least four games to open the season against Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Baltimore. The Steelers have the bye week in the season's fifth week and then play Cleveland and Miami, additional games Roethlisberger would miss if he gets the full suspension Goodell issued today.
Roethlisberger will lose at least $1,894,117.64 of his 2010 salary for missing four games. If he misses six, it would take place over the Steelers' bye week, which means he would lose seven weeks of salary or $3,314,705.87.
In addition, the Steelers will be fined $200,000 under Goodell's policy instituted last year that a team also will be punished if its players violate the NFL personal conduct policy.
Goodell levied the punishment on Roethlisberger for his actions in Milledgeville, Ga., where a young woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in the early hours of March 5. Authorities there declined to charge him with a crime. Roethlisberger thus becomes the first NFL player Goodell has suspended for violating the conduct policy even though he was never charged with a crime.
During his suspension, Roethlisberger will not be permitted to practice or work out at the Steelers facility, although he will be permitted to practice in training camp and to play in preseason games.
Here is the press release from the NFL:
COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL notified Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER today that he:
1) must undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals and
2) will be suspended without pay for the first six games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy.
After consultation with Commissioner Goodell, Steelers President Art Rooney and the commissioner informed Mr. Roethlisberger by telephone today of the two-step approach that is designed to hold the quarterback accountable for his conduct and provide him an opportunity to change his behavior and establish himself as a responsible individual.
In a letter to Mr. Roethlisberger, Mr. Goodell said he must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended by professional evaluators to help him make better decisions and avoid situations that can cause legal or other problems. A professional behavioral evaluation is mandatory for anyone who has violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy.
Mr. Roethlisberger may not attend any team off-season activity after today until he has completed the evaluation and the evaluating professionals confirm with the commissioner that Mr. Roethlisberger may resume football activities. If so cleared, Mr. Roethlisberger will be able to participate in training camp and preseason games this summer. Snip...
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