Roethlisberger Follow-Up

[Trigger warning]

Here's a link to details on the initial report of rape by the victim.

The responding officer that night is quoted as saying, "We have a problem, this drunken [expletive], drunk off her ass, is accusing Ben of rape. ... There is no way it could have happened."

It's a pretty textbook case of why rape is so rarely reported, so rarely prosecuted, so rare to get a conviction.

Read the whole thing.

Meanwhile...

Roethlisberger issued this statement yesterday:

The Commissioner's decision to suspend me speaks clearly that more is expected of me. I am accountable for the consequences of my actions. Though I have committed no crime, I regret that I have fallen short of the values instilled in me by my family. I will not appeal the suspension and will comply with what is asked of me ─ and more.

Missing games will be devastating for me. I am sorry to let down my teammates and the entire Steelers fan base. I am disappointed that I have reached this point and will not put myself in this situation again.

I appreciate the opportunities that I have been given in my life and will make the necessary improvements.

Emphasis mine.

Strange wording there, no? "I have committed no crime." He didn't deny raping his victim, he didn't even deny "having sex" with her. He just didn't commit a crime.

And missing a few games is "devastating." Hey, I'm no athlete, but I do know I'd be far more devastated if someone accused me of rape than if I missed a couple football games. But that's just me.

Discuss.