Most of us don't really know what has been going on with embattled Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger because he's been in the mainstream media's witness protection program for the past seven months.
Roethlisberger was cleared to participate fully in team activities yesterday, so he's officially back. Roethlisberger talked only about football during his press conference.
Why?
He wasn't pressured by the media to answer questions about his recent whereabouts, and what exactly has he done to move forward from his most recent sexual assault allegation on March 5.
How come we don't know how "exactly" where and how he rehabbed his behavior like we know of Tiger Woods?
Reportedly Roethlisberger has been working out at a high school. Why hasn't the media showed Roethlisberger working out at the high school like they did Michael Vick when he came back last season?
Was Roethlisberger there honing his skills or checking more underage prospects?
Recently LeBron James suggested the media has treated him unfairly since his "Decision." The Q-Score poll suggests King James is the sixth-most hated athlete in America. Once he suggested that race factored into why he is being treated differently, the media requested James explain his feelings.
How come that same media didn't ask Roethlisberger to explain what exactly he's learned from his recent brushes with the law?
Michael Vick is playing well now. Even though his jersey is selling like hotcakes there is still a segment of the sports world that will not let him move on from his dog-fighting days. Even though Vick has played well he is still being scrutinized. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently ran the headline "TOP DOG."
Will Roethlisberger face such derogatory headlines?
Unlike Roethlisberger, at least we know what Vick is truly moving away from. We know very little about Big Ben because too much has been covered up starting with the investigation in Milledgeville, GA, and the media has done little to inquire about it.
The NFL, the Steelers and the mainstream media is ensuring Roethlisberger will get that all-important privacy. The media is allowing Roethlisberger to cleverly ease his way back into the good graces without paying the piper.
Tiger Woods was essentially forced to call a press conference that mirrored a Presidential address. He was urged to make a private matter public. He gave an 11-minute speech regarding his infidelity to the world.
Vick spent 18 months in prison. He has been very vocal about the sense of entitlement he felt as an Atlanta Falcon. He's paid his dues, is playing winning football, and moving on with life.
Why has Roethlisberger received such hands-off treatment?
I've stated this consistently and I'll state it again: Roethlisberger is getting a pass because he's a white marquee athlete with two Super Bowl rings. A combination of his complexion, stature in the NFL, and his Super Bowls has allowed him to avert justice. Unlike Tiger, Vick, and King James Roethlisberger is protected from the media like the secret service protects President Barack Obama.
Why isn't the media asking Roethlisberger what exactly he has done to improve on his reckless behavior?
Where exactly is he getting this counseling from?
What exactly did commissioner Roger Goodell and Roethlisberger talk about to have his suspension reduced from six games to four?
Tiger's situation was made very public even though he didn't commit a crime. We all are very familiar with Vick's story because the media will never let it go. Even though Vick has played well he is still being scrutinized. The Philadelphia Inquirer recently ran the headline "TOP DOG."
Will Roethlisberger face such derogatory headlines?
One thing is fairly certain -- he won't be asked the questions pertaining to his suspension. He'll unfairly slide his way back into the fold without much pressure from the media.
There seems to be separate rules for the coverage African-Americans are subject to as opposed to white athletes. Roethlisberger continues to benefit from his complexion and celebrity status. We've heard virtually nothing from him or about him in the news. Here's a guy who was facing serious allegations yet the mainstream media kept Big Ben quiet, and asked very little of him.
Vick can be named as the most disliked athlete in America, Tiger was vilified for what was going on in his personal life, and now King James is being scrutinized.
What about Roethlisberger?
I can't wait to see Roethlisberger run through that tunnel and hear the fan reaction. I can't wait to see how he plays. But more importantly I can't wait to see how the media will handle Roethlisberger.
Will they muster up enough guts to release him from the witness protection program and ask him the tough questions we want answered?
I think you know where I stand.
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