(UPDATE: 5:19p ET): Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com reports:
Roethlisberger’s representatives have denied the allegations involved in TMZ’s report after being contacted by PFT Friday.
They did not comment as to whether Roethlisberger was in fact accused of sexual assault, just that the allegations were untrue and the events in question did not happen.
(UPDATE: 5:01p ET): Chris McKearney of the BALDWIN (GA) BULLETIN reports:
(Roethlisberger was joined at Milledgeville club by teammate Willie Colon)
Detectives with the Milledgeville Police Department in Milledgeville, Ga., will not interview Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger until Monday at the very earliest, according to an MPD spokesperson.
No arrests are immediately pending following an alleged sexual assault involving Roethlisberger and a woman early Friday morning at a Milledgeville nightclub.
The incident reportedly took place in a back hallway of Capitol City nightclub, a popular college hotspot that’s located two blocks away from Georgia College & State University.
Roethlisberger was briefly interviewed by MPD officers shortly after the incident.
Roethlisberger owns a home on nearby Lake Oconee, which is located roughly 30 minutes north of downtown Milledgeville.
–
What was to be a celebratory trip to Georgia turned ugly for Ben Roethlisberger today, as TMZ.com reports he’s been accused of sexual assault at a nightclub called Capital City in Milledgeville, Georgia.
TMZ:
According to law enforcement sources, the alleged victim — who has already been interviewed by police — was treated at a local hospital and released. We’re told in addition to the alleged victim, witnesses are being interviewed — and one law enforcement source says they will attempt to interview Roethlisberger.
The police report of the incident indicates the alleged sexual assault happened inside the Capital City ladies restroom.
Roethlisberger did not go to the club in Milledgeville alone last night. A source tells me that the quarterback was joined by Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon.
Colon, who is not charged with any wrongdoing in the Milledgeville incident, also joined Roethlisberger at the quarterback’s birthday party at an Atlanta nightclub called Mood on Tuesday night. Jerome Bettis was also in attendance to celebrate Roethlisberger’s 28th birthday.
This is the second time Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual assualt. In 2009 he was sued by Andrea McNulty. McNulty alleges the quarterback sexually assaulted her at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2008.
UPDATE: (7:41p ET): This from Willie Colon’s agent, Joe Linta:
“Willie Colon was not and is not involved in any incident alleged or otherwise. His name can be eliminated from any further discussion.”
5:05 pm on March 5th, 2010
If I was the center for the Steelers I think I’d start getting a little nervous…
5:22 pm on March 5th, 2010
looks to me that another woman wants the easy money, help i have been sexually assaulted give me money
5:31 pm on March 5th, 2010
i think that all there looking for is eazy money
6:08 pm on March 5th, 2010
This is such a bunch of bullcrap…These women kill me with their false claims. Why don’t you go and get a job instead of trying to ruin this mans career. The only reason this happened is because he was accused once before and this dumbass hick in GA saw it as an easy way to make money!!! Shame on you
6:40 pm on March 5th, 2010
NOw now Ben are you really one of those types? I hope not big guy BUT it could be your UNDOING!
6:55 pm on March 5th, 2010
I feel bad for Big Ben…Well, I realize he is worth Literally millions..and obviously the Ladies are looking
for a easy Pay day ..rather than being an Unplanned MOMMY. However, another fellow NFL’r with Some SOUL like Antonio Cromartie ..can be daddy to a whole
neighborhood of women..and still get respect….Especially possibly making “iT” to the Hall of
Fame.,,,Just Like the late Great Defensive End for Kansas City, Derrick Thomas.. (he needs another 6 all-pro years, however), Who was a daddy to 7 womens’ kids… NOw, is THAT right.. At least Tiger is Only
Daddy to one womens kids…
6:58 pm on March 5th, 2010
Amazing to hear over and over about how these skanks are just out for money. How dare they accuse Big Ben. If this was Mike Vick being accused, you same fools would be killing the guy like he killed them dogs. And to Georgie who said “These women kill me with their false claims..”. How the hell do you know? Oh, I know. You were in the room too right? Why dont you tell me just how big Big Ben is, since you know.
7:48 pm on March 5th, 2010
Ok, the dogs were obviously falsely accusing Vick for the money.
7:51 pm on March 5th, 2010
Ben is the one who should be nervous if this girl went to the hospital. There would obviously be some DNA to find. We’ll know for sure sooner or later, even if there’s no concrete evidence. If he’s guilty, he’ll strike again.
7:58 pm on March 5th, 2010
NIGGA STILL GOT THEM SUPER BOWL RANGS!! 6BURGH BITCH!!
7:59 pm on March 5th, 2010
Does anyone honestly think that Ben needs to sexually assult someone to get sex. I am sure that there are plenty of women out there that would give it to him. Someone looking for a easy way to not have a job.
8:32 pm on March 5th, 2010
As usual, it will be interesting to see how the media sources will be complicit in couching the facts in the light most favorable to Ben. In fact, I suspect that most of the major TV media sources will not even cover the story or do so minimally. As was stated by another reader, imagine if Michael Vick or Tiger Woods had been accused of sexual assault (even once, let alone twice) most readers would express outrage and there would be a media mob looking to destroy their career.
9:42 pm on March 5th, 2010
You guys are the same guys taking up for Tiger. Let see that started with a couple of rumors, and out did that come out. Ben probably did it, the girl probably led him on, but no means no unless your a famous jock. Then it means I am going to anyway, we’ll discuss price later.
10:27 pm on March 5th, 2010
Gold diggers ? maybe. But maybe Ben does indeed feel like he is “entitled” to the trappings of fame and fortune. If someone keeps getting accused of the same type of behavior from different people, there’s probably some truth to it.
10:43 pm on March 5th, 2010
Key word in your statement is “probably”……probably doesnt mean definately……money hungry hoes!!!
11:15 pm on March 5th, 2010
this azz has been rumored to treat women like chit for years before any of this stuff became public. sooner or later this psychopath will be shipped up the river. why aren’t any other nfl qbs being accused of this TWICE by money grubbing hoes?
you people are idiots.
3:46 am on March 6th, 2010
@Steelers Fan- Dude, John Law is talking sexual assault, not rape. Sexual assault can be touching a bobby against her will or pinching her fat butt. Aint going to be any DNA..
8:04 am on March 6th, 2010
I’m a big time fan of the Steelers and if Ben disrepected a female in any way then he should be held accountable. As previously stated since I do in fact work in law enforcement, the article did say sexual assault not rape. The story still has to be validated, but I really hope it’s not true. Sometimes these females will engage in the act and when the end result is the VIP person just walks away it can make them feel used and pissed off. It’s a possibility, my judgement stays within until the facts are revealed and validated.
8:52 am on March 6th, 2010
@me..LOL…I meant “booby”.
9:05 am on March 6th, 2010
I am a huge Steeler fan and I love Ben but, really Dude, you keep putting yourself in these situations, it’s gonna keep happenin’. Unfortunately, the price of fame and fortune may be that you have to stay home and not go to the clubs with all the college kids.
10:29 am on March 6th, 2010
she wouldn’t be going to college if she was just looking for easy money dumbasses.
10:47 am on March 6th, 2010
Why would a multi-millionaire sexually assualt a woman?
a) if he reallly wanted sex there are plenty of female fans who would give it to him for free.
b) he can afford a prostitute, can’t he?
Sounds like he is committing a cardinal sin. That is letting woman get close to him when he is alone.
This gives vultures a chance to cash in with their made
up stories.
11:35 am on March 6th, 2010
Being that the 20 year old was drinking in a bar should tell you all you need to know about her. I can’t imagine it was her first time either. Leave Ben alone, he has already proven himself on the field, dont hate him because he’s the best in the league.
12:17 pm on March 6th, 2010
Commish!!!
Vick mistreats dogs. Goes to jail. PacMan is an ass, but never convicted. He gets suspended from the League - not even allowed to wrestle. Big Ben “accused of Ike Turnering” some chicks. Seems to me that the Commish HAS to do SOMETHING, right?
12:17 pm on March 6th, 2010
You guys sound like assholes and dogs.
First of all in the state of Georgia you can be 18 to enter a bar but 21 to drink. So the fact that she was in a bar says nothing about the kind of person she is. Do you think all women in bars should be raped? Also this is not the first time he has been accused of sexual assault. Just b/c he’s your favorite football player dont mean he cant rape someone. The victim filed a police report and got TREATED at a HOSPITAL. So for her to be treated there had to be some type of injury. There are a lot of men who feel like they are entitled to sex from any woman they want. Money has nothing to do with this. Max Factor heir Andrew Luster probably has more money that Roethlisberger and still ended up becoming a serial rapist. Lord I hope none of you have any daughters.
1:04 pm on March 6th, 2010
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault occurs when the act is intentional and is committed either by a) physical force, violence, threat, or intimidation; b) ignoring the objections of another person; c) causing another’s intoxication or impairment through the use of drugs or alcohol; or d) taking advantage of another person’s incapacitation, state of intimidation, helplessness, or other inability to consent. maryjane whats the difference between that and rape
1:22 pm on March 6th, 2010
I think Ben makes too much moola. These ditzy girls are looking for a big cash fall.
Ben could get any girl that he wanted so why would he waste his time on trash like those so called victims.
1:27 pm on March 6th, 2010
I think it’s about time the media covered these charges against “Big Ben.”
1:38 pm on March 6th, 2010
They were out together at multiple establishments aka Bar Hopping. Guys and girls out together having a good time … flirting, drinking. There may have been something happening between the two of them and afterward she realizes that’s probably the only time she will see him. It was reported at 2:00 AM. Time to go home. Oh No!!! She did something she regrets. Ben needs to learn to wait til the 3rd date to go the distance.
2:59 pm on March 6th, 2010
Since this claim is for sexual assault and not rape I would strongly object to any claims if the girl has never sued any of her “pals” who may have grazed her boob, pinched her ass or harassed her with sexual comments but not with acts… I really think she is just trying to cash in. OTOH if this is true then Ben should have a non-drinking friend/bodyguard to accompany him every where he wants to party and avoid him being in such positions of liability.
4:00 pm on March 6th, 2010
where there’s smoke there’s fire
twice in the last 12 months
4:03 pm on March 6th, 2010
Brittany, you’re an idiot. I’m sad to know we share the same name. Just because he’s been accused does not make him guilty, either. I like that your argument shows your bias in the other direction. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? And how is comparing Vick and Woods even in the same ballfield? Those two came out of the gate guilty and eventually admitted to it. Besides their crimes? Again, not even similar. Dog fighting and cheating is no where NEAR sexual assault. Vick had evidence come out on him before wide-spread media ever caught on, and Woods’s mistresses were jumping out of the woodwork days after Woods was supposedly assualted by his wife. Not the same as some college girl accusing a pro-athlete of sexual assault. I don’t care what color your skin is, if you’re guilty you’re guilty. But we won’t know anything until the police, crime labs and the two parties in question clear everything. Though it makes me wonder, where are all the girls from high school and college that he assualted? Because honestly two cases does not a pattern make. It could be some girl looking to pay off tuition or it could be an athlete who got careless in his coverup. I love how everyone is so quick to judge both sides. This shows why our judicial system is so screwed.
4:41 pm on March 6th, 2010
This is the second time this so called “man” has been accused of such an act. Whether it be rape or sexual assault, anyone who has taken psych 101 knows these crimes have nothing to do with sex. Sure, he could get it anywhere he wants, except here, he’s too stupid for me, but it is the control issue, not the actual act. Good thing he did get that salary raise. He is going to need it to keep paying off the women he is abusing.
4:46 pm on March 6th, 2010
Typical Pittsburgh trashball…. That shithole obviously rubs-off on anyone who stays there too long. “Visit Pittsburgh: come in a fat hillbilly and leave a fat hillbilly rapist!”
6:20 pm on March 6th, 2010
Remember — The Duke lacrosse team was GUILTY — until they were found innocent.
7:26 pm on March 6th, 2010
Ben,
I don’t know if this is or isn’t true, but you are supposedly a “born again Christian:.
Why do you keep going to these places, drinking and gambling?
After each touchdown, you point to the sky, giving God the praise. What makes you think you are praising God when your actions are saying volumns rather than words.
8:37 am on March 7th, 2010
Im a steelers fan, bleed black and gold, but Ben apparently isnt too smart if he gets into these situations that even remotely could be construed as anything criminal, Grow up lad, or u may be flushing a career down the toilet. It isnt worth a little grab ass, stick with the movie stars
10:01 am on March 7th, 2010
i’m a big steelers fan, and i think all of you need to look at the whole picture. he had people all around him all night. just like out in nevada NO crimial chargers where ever filed and never will be filed. now if you were raped some man no matter who that man wouldn’t you filed charges on him? i’m sure you would. and the same goes for this, NO crimial charges are being filed. they were in a bar what kind of dna is there going to be, in my mind not any. i do agree that he needs to stay away form places like that. he’s a great guy and i think we all need remember inocent unitl proven guitly. just know ben i’m on your side. i think there are more gold digging women out there than people realize. and for nancy who are you to question someone’s belief in god maybe you need to take a look at yourself because all you are look at is the actions that other people are saying about him. i’ll be praying for you ben!!!
6:39 pm on March 7th, 2010
I really don’t think this woman has a leg to stand on. Come on, she put herself in the situation she was in. Being in this club at close to 2:00 am, she’s in the VIP area where Ben and friends are drinking and having a good time, drinking herself, I’m sure. When did she decide to claim it was time to call sexual assualt? If she didn’t want to be with them why was she in the VIP area with them? She was in control of her situation, she acted on her own to be where she was. She just saw an opportunity for some money and figured claiming sexual assualt would get it for her.
3:37 am on March 8th, 2010
This thread can be stopped now. Ben will either not be charged or if so he’ll be found not guilty. Tell your friends you heard it here frst. Also, please get a life.
10:27 am on March 9th, 2010
These posts are amazing.
When it was Kobe the press and posts had him labeled guilty and a sex offender. Ben is on trial RIGHT NOW for rape and has been since before the season started and nobody even talks about it. This latest incident only makes him a repeat offender.
The only difference between Kobe and Ben is that Kobe is black and Ben is white.
Ben went all season without even a whisper of his rape trial, now the posts I’m reading are teary eyed for a guy that appears to have a problem.
There is an advantage to being white in this country and we’re seeing it now. Tiger gets attacked by his wife on Thanksgiving and HE’S stalked endlessly by the media while Charlie Sheen, repeat offender Charlie Sheen, threatens his wife on Christmas and nobody from the media stalks him for a story so he can go do his show next season.
Shame on you media for being racially biased in 2010. Shame on you.
4:46 pm on March 9th, 2010
this is turning into a michael jackson sort of thing, one person says rothlisberger assaulted them and now all of the sudden everybody says he assaulted them
7:14 pm on April 15th, 2010
I live in Australia and am horrified that people can be so callous as to accuse this young girl of making this up, what did she do rip her own vaginal tissue? You people make me sick! If this was your daughter how would you feel? Yet here you are slagging her off and sticking up for him when he has done it before. How many more young women does this creep get to force himself on before you or the police will believe it. My whole life I have dreamed of going on holiday to America but now I don’t think I would feel safe as I am a young woman and obviously young women do not have the right to physical safety in public in your country. I will go to London instead at least young people can feel safe there.