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Attorney: NFL mulled harsher penalty for Big Ben
Thursday, April 22, 2010
By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ben Roethlisberger's conditional six-game suspension could have been far longer, the quarterback's lawyer said this morning.
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell "used the term 'indefinitely,' that, you know, an indefinite suspension was possible. I understand that he may have expressed to the Rooneys that eight to 10 games was within the realm of possibility," William David Cornwell Sr. said during an interview with the ESPN sports radio show "Mike and Mike" about the Pittsburgh Steeler's off-field troubles.
Mr. Cornwell had hoped that four weeks could be a starting point for discussions about a suspension. Ultimately, Mr. Goodell decided on six weeks, which could be whittled down to four if Mr. Roethlisberger completed counseling to Mr. Goodell's satisfaction.
Last week Georgia authorities said they would not charge Mr. Roethlisberger in connection with a rape allegation by a college student who claimed the quarterback assaulted her in a bar bathroom. Mr. Goodell, however, had free rein to discipline Mr. Roethlisberger for what he viewed as violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
Mr. Cornwell pledged that his client would work to rehabilitate his image.
"As far as we're concerned, this is a four-game suspension. Ben is going to meet the conditions and then some to earn back the right to get on the field and then earn the respect of his teammates, the fans, players throughout the NFL and the media. He's committed to do it. He's a winner. This guy's competitive, and they've put something in front of him and said you can achieve this, He'll get it done."
A spokesman for the Pittsburgh Steelers said he had no comment on the interview.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to discuss details about any conversations between the commissioner and Mr. Cornwell.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Jonathan D. Silver: [email protected] or 412-263-1962.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10112/1052568-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml
Thursday, April 22, 2010
By Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ben Roethlisberger's conditional six-game suspension could have been far longer, the quarterback's lawyer said this morning.
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell "used the term 'indefinitely,' that, you know, an indefinite suspension was possible. I understand that he may have expressed to the Rooneys that eight to 10 games was within the realm of possibility," William David Cornwell Sr. said during an interview with the ESPN sports radio show "Mike and Mike" about the Pittsburgh Steeler's off-field troubles.
Mr. Cornwell had hoped that four weeks could be a starting point for discussions about a suspension. Ultimately, Mr. Goodell decided on six weeks, which could be whittled down to four if Mr. Roethlisberger completed counseling to Mr. Goodell's satisfaction.
Last week Georgia authorities said they would not charge Mr. Roethlisberger in connection with a rape allegation by a college student who claimed the quarterback assaulted her in a bar bathroom. Mr. Goodell, however, had free rein to discipline Mr. Roethlisberger for what he viewed as violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
Mr. Cornwell pledged that his client would work to rehabilitate his image.
"As far as we're concerned, this is a four-game suspension. Ben is going to meet the conditions and then some to earn back the right to get on the field and then earn the respect of his teammates, the fans, players throughout the NFL and the media. He's committed to do it. He's a winner. This guy's competitive, and they've put something in front of him and said you can achieve this, He'll get it done."
A spokesman for the Pittsburgh Steelers said he had no comment on the interview.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to discuss details about any conversations between the commissioner and Mr. Cornwell.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Jonathan D. Silver: [email protected] or 412-263-1962.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10112/1052568-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml
