I've had several requests for my thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger and his rape charges.
Short version: I want him gone. And among Steelers fans, I am not alone in that sentiment.
Long version: Yes, he's innocent until proven otherwise. But even assuming the best of all possible circumstances, my 28 year-old star quarterback, already being sued for rape in Nevada, saw fit to go bar-cruising for Georgia college girls, one of whom blew him in a unisex bathroom, then "hit her head." In other words, the best possible outcome is that my QB is a moron so drunk on hubris and entitlement, he put himself—and more importantly to me, his team—in this position.
And that's the Ben I know. I love his game, but god help me, he's a selfish twat. He's always milking injuries for attention. He's notorious in the Burgh for demanding special treatment and being a poor tipper. He can't compliment anyone without somehow insinuating himself. ("Santonio felt bad for dropping that first pass and then I said 'Don't worry, I'm coming back to you,' and then I did and he made a great catch just like I knew he would.") He famously wrecked his motorcycle while not wearing a helmet, despite his coach having asked him to wear one.
I find myself not exactly rushing to his defense. You will only hear "until proven guilty" come from my lips grudgingly, because in my book, he's already been convicted of being a gigantic prick. I'm finding that Steelers fans across the country feel similarly; Ben has built very little goodwill. Actually, that's a misnomer. We've wanted to love our future hall of famer. He's just been unlovable. How does a two-time Super Bowl winner build so little goodwill that he's called a "twat" and a "prick" in one short post?
Practice.