Yes, but does he mean it?
Written by MegAnne, Wednesday April 14 2010
After watching Ben Roethlisberger's statement Monday evening regarding his most recent sexual assault charges, which have subsequently been dropped by the Ocmulgee, Georgia DA due to a lack of evidence, I have to ask, are we really going to buy this? Are we, the American people, such a hero-worshiping society that we'll allow ourselves to look the fool here as pro after pro jumps off our pedestal of athletic greatness, only to weakly attempt crawling back on their knees, asking for forgiveness?
I will openly and willingly admit that I enjoy watching Tiger Woods not because he's a family man with a gorgeous wife and two beautiful children who loves his momma and daddy and shies away from the media - that was simply an added bonus for me, an old-fashioned gal from Kentuckiana.
No, I admire him because he completely revamped a game that my family has cherished for generations, because he's brought popularity and diversity to a sport that has so long been relegated to an old white man's Tuesday morning at the country club, and because he's, without parsing words, the best.
But Tiger, are you really sorry or do you just want to sell Gatorade? Ben, do you really want to change your ways or are we going to hear about you going after college girls in a public bathrooms in a few weeks? If you don't mean your apology, don't waste my time.
Many applauded Nike's newest commercial where Woods stands on a green listening to his late father's voice of reason. Admittedly, it's well-designed, pointed, and gives the American people the chance to look Tiger straight in the eye and scold his behavior through the words of his coach and mentor. Well played, Nike marketing team.
I, however, am appalled, offended on behalf of Earl Woods, that a son would evoke the memory of a deceased parent to shill for a company and -let's not pretend we don't know the real reason- try to win back the American people. It's Nike's job to come up with brilliant advertising campaigns, but it was Tiger's place to realize that he needs to pull himself out of the gutter by his own actions moving forward and politely decline to ride his father's coattails back into our favor.
As for Roethlisberger's situation, at least NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the wherewithal to take a stand in Big Ben's most recent transgression, continuing his efforts to insure players conform to "higher standards of responsible conduct because of what it means to be part of the National Football League." After Kobe Bryant escaped legal ramifications for his 2003 Eagle, Colorado sexual assault charges, NBA commissioner David Stern turned a blind eye, allowing Kobe to return to league play without so much as a slap on the wrist.
Marketing strategist and sports enthusiast Patrick Kent of Cincinnati said of Roethlisberger's statement Monday night, "They aired it on ESPN. It was awful, he couldn't go three words without looking at his written statement in front of him. Please call this out."
To many of us, Big Ben's statement was only a matter of course, something the Pittsburgh PR staff slapped on a few 3x5 note cards and told him to recite for the cameras. Roethlisberger frequently totes his entourage from city to city with the sole intent to party. Jay Mariotti of FanHouse said it best, "When you're planning out-of-town excursions for the primary purpose of getting loaded, you have a problem."
Hey Ben, you're one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL. Do you really think it's a good idea to travel to random cities with the only goal of boozing and hooking up with college girls? It's unreal to me, the risks this guy is willing to take for the sake of a party and, well, let's keep this PG, shall we?
It'd be nice if all professional athletes were responsible enough to hold themselves to 'higher standards of responsible conduct because of what it means to be a part of' whatever sport they spent their childhood perfecting their craft with the hopes of making it to the big leagues, instead of playing the role of irresponsible playboys and thugs. If only.
Bottom line, I'm sick of the charade. If you screw up and have no intention of changing your ways and are only sorry because you got caught, go peddle your fish somewhere else. I'm not buyin' it.
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3 comments
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Meg, you scored direct hits in regards to Tiger and Roethlisberger's situation. Just like Tiger, as more and more information about what happened comes out, we'll have greater reasons to be repulsed by these individuals. What I've heard from the Roethlisberger police report sounds absolutely scary. And likely there's more to come. Very well analyzed and written, Meg.
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This proves yet again that most pro athletes somehow find the spotlight of trouble and wiggle out of it with little punishment, although I do thing NFL Commissioner Goodell will suspend Ben for 2 games.
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Good stuff Meg, well written and enjoyable... It is unfortunate that fans look up to professional athletes. These are just normal people like you and me who happen to be very good at a game and are paid ridiculously well. They are not role models, I wish people would stop trying to portray them as such.