Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger is a National Football League (NFL) quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.http://www.steelers.com/team/roster/Ben-Roethlisberger/54dda34e-9e43-4c57-9397-1143ddced5d6 In 2009, Roethlisberger broke several records including the single-season passing record, the single-season completions record, and the record for most 300-yard passing games.http://www.steelers.com/team/roster/Ben-Roethlisberger/54dda34e-9e43-4c57-9397-1143ddced5d6 In his rookie year, Roethlisberger went 13-0 as the starter and led the Steelers to a playoff win. He was also named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger

In 2005, the Steelers entered the playoffs as a wild card team and won three playoff games on the road to reach Super Bowl XL. Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 21-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The win made the 23-year-old Roethlisberger the youngest quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl, a record previously held by Tom Brady.Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger In 2009, Roethlisberger won his second Super Bowl when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII.

On Sunday, December 5, 2010, Ben Roethlisberger suffered a broken nose during a 13-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The broken nose was the result of a hit to the face by defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, although Ngata was not penalized for the hit.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/12/ben-roethlisbergers-broken-nose-a-sore-subject-for-steelers.html According to NFL Fanhouse, Roesthlisberger was scheduled to undergo surgery on December 13, the day after the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals, a game Roethlisberger is expected to play in. In Sunday night's game against the Ravens, Roethlisberger was already playing on a broken foot.http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2010/12/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-suffers-a-broken-nose-surgery-to-follow.html

Roethlisberger underwent surgery for his nose as scheduled in December of 2010. This was his second nose operation, as he also underwent surgery after being injured in a motorcycle accident in June 2006.http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5891587&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines Although athletes are usually advised to wait to week after surgery before going back to work, Roethlisberger will return to active play this weekend.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20024731-10391704.html He initially had a bandage over his nose that looked similar to what someone might wear after a cosmetic procedure.http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/09/ben-roethlisberger-is-soft-and-has-a-nose-that-looks-like-corn-flakes/ Another hit to his nose could cause it to re-fracture. Noses that have been broken multiple times may lead to difficult breathing and permanent deformity.http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20024731-10391704.html

On April 21, 2010, Roethlisberger was suspended for six games by NFL Commisisoner Roger Goodell for violation of the NFL's conduct policy.http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/21/report-ben-roethlisberger-will-be-suspended-4-6-games/ According to the terms of the suspension, Roethlisberger will also have to undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation.

On April 26, 2010, Roethlisberger released the following statement on the Pittsburgh Steelers official website in which he sated, "The Commissioner’s decision to suspend me speaks clearly that more is expected of me. I am accountable for the consequences of my actions. Though I have committed no crime, I regret that I have fallen short of the values instilled in me by my family. I will not appeal the suspension and will comply with what is asked of me - and more."http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/26/roethlisberger-i-am-accountable-for-my-actions/?hpt=T2

On April 15, 2010, the police department of Milledgeville, Georgia released the statements that Ben Roethlisberger's accuser offered nearly one month ago.http://www.tmz.com/2010/04/15/ben-roethlisberger-accuser-statement-sexual-assault-bodyguard/ On March 5, 2010, his accuser wrote nearly two pages detailing the events that led up to the night of the alleged rape. The documents, which are now available, were first posted on TMZ.com, a celebrity news and gossip website.

His accuser writes in the document that in the hours before the alleged rape took place, Roethlisberger had been making "crude sexual remarks".http://tmz.vo.llnwd.net/o28/newsdesk/tmz_documents/0415_bigben_doc_wm.pdf Before finally making ending up at a Capital City nightclub, the accuser (along with her friends) allegedly went bar-hopping and was accompanied by Roethlisberger. The accuser is reported to have said to Ben that "it wasn't OK" after he allegedly unzipped his pants and revealed himself to her. According to the testimony of the accuser, this specific event took place after one of Roethlisberger's assistants "grabbed her by the arm and brought her to a hallway [and then telling her to sit] on a stool".http://www.tmz.com/2010/04/15/ben-roethlisberger-accuser-statement-sexual-assault-bodyguard/

On April 12, 2010, official word came that Ben Roethlisberger would not be charged with the crime of sexual assault.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/12/ben-roethlisberger-sexual_n_534360.html According to district prosecutor Fred Bright who is involved in the case, the charges against Roethlisberger were dropped due to his belief that the case could not be proved "beyond a doubt" to a jury. Although it appears there will no longer be any criminal charges filed against Roethlisberger, there is still a chance that he could face penalties imposed by either the NFL or the Pittsburgh Steelers.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/12/ben-roethlisberger-sexual_n_534360.html

On March 5, 2010, a female university student in Georgia reported to police that Roethlisberger had sexually assaulted her at a nightclub. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was charged with the task of investigating the allegations.

On March 24, 2010, Roethlisberger's defense lawyer, Ed Garland, made a statement to the press indicating that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had withdrawn their request for Roethlisberger to submit a DNA sample.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2010-03-24-ben-roethlisberger-case_N.htm Officials from the Georgia Bureau of investigation neither confirm, nor deny, Garland's assertion.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2010-03-24-ben-roethlisberger-case_N.htm

In July of 2009, Andrea McNulty filed a civil suit against Roethlisberger, claiming he sexually assaulted her one year earlier. He denied the claims in a press conference and no criminal charges have been filed in that case either.http://www.tmz.com/2010/03/05/ben-roethlisberger-accused-of-sexual-assault/

NFL commissioner Roger Goodel is set to meet with Roethlisberger at a yet undetermined date. Disciplinary action could be handed down by the NFL even if he is not charged or convicted based on the NFL's personal-conduct policy.http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/03/no-meeting-time-yet-set-up-for-steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-meet-with-roger-goodell/1