'Rapelisberger' T-Shirt Offers New Way To Taunt Ben Roethlisberger

Just when it seems Ben Roethlisberger may have turned a corner and that his alleged sexual assault scandal may finally be dropping out of the day's news, something new pops up. When it looked like the NFL Draft would bury Roethlisberger for several days, jeering fans made sure nobody forgot about the Steelers quarterback.

On Monday, it was reported that Roethlisberger spent the weekend being evaluated at a clinic.

Now, a new product is available for fans who want people to remember Roethlisberger's most controversial moments, and this one may be available even if the NFL stops selling customized THERAPIST Steelers jerseys. An enterprising shirtmaker is selling "Rapelisberger" T-shirts for $14.99, complete with a "no means no" badge on the front.

The shirt's web site claims that the items are "a must have for Cleveland, Cincinnatti, and Baltimore fans." Demand is purportedly "overwhelming." Scroll down for pictures.

Quick Poll

The Rapelisberger shirt...

Goes way too far.

Is fair. Roethlisberger has nobody to blame but himself.

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LOOK: (via TheFrisky.com)

Comments

[callie12]

06:12 AM on 05/10/2010

After reading the SI article, I see Ben as a guy who's let it all go to his head. It's doubtful if he will change, but I am also inclined to blame the young girls who don't expect to be assaulted when they go out to bars, get drunk, wear tags on their shirts saying they're ready... Where's questioning of THEIR parents. Woman aren't stupid. They know the power they have around men in these situations. I say he's guilty of being stupid, but I also say the girl in Georgia gave every wrong signal. If she was my daughter, I would be ashamed of her.

[KennyT]

09:41 AM on 05/08/2010

I'm sure none of the t-shirt proceeds will go to help rape victims. Regardless of what you think Roethlisberger did, we should agree that cashing in on a potential crime in a way that trivializes it is tasteless. Since when is it appropriate for anyone to lower their own standards because someone else flawed? Anyone that would engage in such an enterprise is no better than Ben.

[activitygrrl]

11:05 AM on 05/06/2010

Where there is smoke, there is fire, and there seems to be quite a bit of smoke coming off of Big Ben in regards to how he treats women. Twice in less than a year he has been accused of rape. He also seems to have a bad habit of harassing women. Maybe he needs a not so sublte hint that women deserve to be treated with respect.

[highfructsecornsquezzins]

03:10 PM on 05/08/2010

No kidding, this is something I haven't heard anything about. Tell me more.

[Mister Biggles]

05:46 AM on 05/06/2010

James Harrison punched a woman in the face as hard as he could.

But Dan Rooney and the Stillers Nation say it's ok, because he punched her in the face for Jesus.

Hypocrites.

[rebelrebel]

05:11 PM on 05/05/2010

This is really slimy. I'm not a Pittsburgh Steelers fan by any stretch. I respect Roethlisberger's athletic ability, but the Sports Illustrated story makes him sound like a real jerk off the field.

However, I don't know the man, and as he was not convicted of a crime, it's a low blow to taunt him in this fashion. He didn't "weasel" out of it --- as far as I know; the prosecutors didn't have enough evidence.

What if you were accused of a serious crime? What if you didn't do it? Wouldn't you want to be given the benefit of the doubt?

I root against the Steelers, and cheer when Big Ben throws an interception or an incomplete third-down pass. If I want to call him names, I'll just go with Worthlessbugger.

[Mister Biggles]

05:48 AM on 05/06/2010

Fanned. I am a Steelers fan and I do NOT like Ben as a person but these people calling him a rapist based on ONE side of the story are so un-American I am sickened to watch it.

[highfructsecornsquezzins]

03:34 PM on 05/08/2010

How about we stop with the childish name calling altogether?

[roshni]

05:10 PM on 05/05/2010

I've just ordered two.
He got off too easily and should be reminded.

[jdsmitty007]

10:57 PM on 06/10/2010

then lets come up with one for Harrison on the colts that say Muderer he shot someone that died over a year ago but no biggie I guess it doesn't matter you just wear your brilliant shirts there idiot

[jukesgrrl]

03:33 PM on 05/05/2010

Would the people who will buy this item wear a "No Means No" shirt if it didn't have the added attraction of dissing their hated rival team?

I didn't think so.

[wolfmason]

12:50 PM on 05/06/2010

And if it was there guy getting dissed, you could bet they'd be outraged over it...

[jdsmitty007]

10:58 PM on 06/10/2010

EXACTLY

[alucas08]

10:36 AM on 05/05/2010

While it may be in poor taste,but it could be a real message if some the proceeds from the sales of shirt went to education on date rape , sexual assault etc for both young men and women.

[jukesgrrl]

03:19 PM on 05/05/2010

Yeah, but it won't. This is just some rude entrepreneur making money. What thought do you suppose was given to the feelings of his alleged victims?

[Mister Biggles]

09:46 AM on 05/05/2010

The second these yinzers see him throw a game winning TD, the righteousness will vanish.

Pittsburgh Steeler fans are about the most obnoxious, ignorant, ill informed drunken people on the planet. I say that 3 miles from Heinz Field.

They lack the sophistication to understand the sport. They are too busy waving towels.

I dont' mind any of that except that TONS of these Steeler fans have jumped on the Penguin bandwagon. Like football, they don't understand the game, and now they are booing the best goalie in hockey.

4-12 yinzers, 4-12.

[dholl69]

10:47 AM on 05/05/2010

And as Steelers fan, this post has to be the most obnoxious, ignorant, ill-formed, possibly even drunken post I have ever read. I say that 600 a miles away from Heinz Field and a Steelers fan. And by the way, understand the game very well.

Mister Biggles...cute

[solutionking]

01:19 AM on 05/06/2010

LOL... with 6 superbowls and 3 stanley cups... so what if the fans really didn't understand the sports? Their Teams do and that's what matters!

Can you say your football team has 6 and hockey team has 3 champs?! Jealous much?

[Mister Biggles]

05:23 AM on 05/06/2010

Actually, yes...my football team has won 6 Super Bowls and my hockey team is about to win their 4th Stanley Cup.

The difference is when they do, I'll understand that it's more than just the quarterback or the goalie who will play a part in it.

Also, I never criticized Pens fans. I saw (almost) every game this decade, even during the Rico Fata era, so I know how loyal Pens fans are...these Steeler bandwagon yocal yinzer Moe Rons, like the guy I saw at the game on Sunday chanting "D-Fence", who have jumped on the Pens bandwagon...not so much.

Also, I guess you could question my football fanhood...since I honestly want to see this team go 3-13 so I can listen to the yinzers choke on their faux righteousness while they cheer James Harrison and Co.

[IndependentBadger]

09:24 AM on 05/05/2010

There's nothing wrong with this t-shirt, other than the juvenile hatefulness of it.

[qdog112]

08:46 AM on 05/05/2010

This is America. Sell the shirt, buy the shirt, wear the shirt or not. It may be in bad taste, but you see worse signs in stadiums any given Sunday. The No mean No part is definitely appropriate. From a social activist standpoint, if it calls attention to the evils of sexual assault, it's a good thing.

From a NFL fan, standpoint, if it ain't your guy - anything goes.

[AbeMartin]

08:04 AM on 05/05/2010

The t-shirt is not funny. If people want to show their disgust for this genetic throwback, they should announce a boycott the Steeler's games and NFL licensed Steeler merchandise. The Mooney's have more money than God, but the vendors will quickly get the word to Art, Jr. that they are p*ssed; and Worthlessberger will be fired (which is certainly an option under his contract) and like, Barry Bonds, I don't think there is a franchise in the NFL that would pick up his contract.

[qdog112]

08:47 AM on 05/05/2010

"The t-shirt is not funny"

Maybe it's not meant to be funny, but to enlighten.

[jdsmitty007]

11:04 PM on 06/10/2010

I wish it was that way but I think some bonehead is just out to make a quick buck and it is probably someone that hates the steelers.

[dholl69]

10:50 AM on 05/05/2010

ummmm that's Rooney's...you can't even get the owners name right so odd you have so much insight on what is happening next

[260Parkway]

06:54 AM on 05/05/2010

I'd buy one but I'd want mine in Pink.

[Todd Martin]

05:15 AM on 05/05/2010

I would hope that those same people who protested Vick outside the stadiums across the country. But that won't happen. Dogs are too important. Besides BIG B was only accused - Accuse me once, I'm a fool. Accuse me twice, must've been true.

I can see the No Fun League ejecting a bunch of people over this shirt or any "inappropriate signs".

[Prakosh]

12:00 AM on 05/05/2010

I have been one of Roethlisbergers harshest critics. But I think the shirt goes too far. I wouldn't wear it. I think calling him a rapist when he wasn't convicted of anything goes too far. I think he should have been charged with indecent exposure but he wasn't. I also think the rape laws should be changed so that sex requires an absolute yes, and rape can be charged if someone says, "I don't think we should be doing this." But they haven't done that yet. And even though I think this case should have been handled differently, but it wasn't.

[Artamentous]

03:36 AM on 05/05/2010

Oh please, he raped a drunk girl. Unfortunately she was so loaded, she made a terrible witness, and the police were starstruck which lead to Rapelisberger getting off.

[wespenn56]

11:43 PM on 07/02/2010

Cite the conviction or admit you lie.

[headtohead]

01:31 AM on 05/06/2010

Why don't you think she should have been charged with setting it up, (engaging in sexually suggestive messages), and also indecent exposure but she wasn't. Who moderates the moderators? someone
needs to !!