Big Ben: Big Time Predator?

Big Ben: Big Time Predator?

In conversation with Alex Witt, The Nation‘s Dave Zirin says that the most recent allegation of sexual assault against Ben Roethlisberger could indicate the patterned behavior of a sexual predator.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

With yet another sexual assault allegation against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, some have hinted the player’s actions could suggest the patterned behavior of a sexual predator. As Nation sports correspondent Dave Zirin discusses on MSNBC, the circumstances of this most recent case are almost identical to two cases filed against him earlier.

"You look at this together and you can only assume one of two things," Zirin says. "Either the women involved, especially the most recent one–20 years old, underage, inebriated–is a sociopath who has the previous police reports memorized, or, something very awful is happening here and there is a pattern of behavior here which is not only unacceptable for an NFL player or a quarterback for the Steelers, it shouldn’t be acceptable at all for anybody."

Although Roethlisberger admits he has done wrong, he will not face charges, but instead be punished, said Steelers President Art Rooney Jr. To earn the respect of the fans and his team, Roethlisberger will need to give serious donations and volunteering time for women’s shelters and rape crisis hotlines, says Zirin, emphasizing that Roethlisberger should not be allowed to "skate on this."

–Clarissa Leon

Thank you for reading The Nation!

We hope you enjoyed the story you just read, just one of the many incisive, deeply-reported articles we publish daily. Now more than ever, we need fearless journalism that shifts the needle on important issues, uncovers malfeasance and corruption, and uplifts voices and perspectives that often go unheard in mainstream media.

Throughout this critical election year and a time of media austerity and renewed campus activism and rising labor organizing, independent journalism that gets to the heart of the matter is more critical than ever before. Donate right now and help us hold the powerful accountable, shine a light on issues that would otherwise be swept under the rug, and build a more just and equitable future.

For nearly 160 years, The Nation has stood for truth, justice, and moral clarity. As a reader-supported publication, we are not beholden to the whims of advertisers or a corporate owner. But it does take financial resources to report on stories that may take weeks or months to properly investigate, thoroughly edit and fact-check articles, and get our stories into the hands of readers.

Donate today and stand with us for a better future. Thank you for being a supporter of independent journalism.

Thank you for your generosity.

Ad Policy
x