Steelers fans proved on Sunday that it doesn’t really matter what a player does off the field as long as he’s helping the team win on Sundays. They cheered on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who was returning from a four-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after well-publicized rape allegations emerged. The man who caused the city embarrassment throughout the spring also provided them joy and reasons to cheer yesterday, so much so that it feels like all was forgotten. It’s good to know not everyone has such a short memory.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a “radical marching band” showed up to tailgate at Heinz Field and protest Big Ben’s return. They described themselves as Steelers fans and held signs that said “Don’t Let Big Ben Rape Again” and “Consent is not a game.” Most fans stood by Roethlisberger, countering by saying that no charges were filed. We at LBS maintained that mattered little, suggesting it indicated a potential out of court settlement.
It’s truly amazing and indicative of our society’s mentality when Roethlisberger goes from being an outcast and one of the most hated players in the league to being celebrated in a matter of months. What’s the lesson here? As long as you’re throwing touchdown passes, nothing else matters.
Photo Credit: Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette, 96.1 FM
