Following ESPN’s coverage of Ocmulgee (Ga.) Judicial Circuit D.A. Fred Bright’s press conference, reporter Chris Mortensen suggested that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could be forced to enter the league’s substance-abuse program.
Speaking of Bright’s comments, Mortensen said, “You hear him say Ben Roethlisberger provided alcohol to the accuser, the ladies in that group. That a bodyguard escorted the young lady, the accuser, down to the bathroom, and then Ben followed her into the bathroom. I think those facts alone -- as you know, under the personal-conduct policy, you don’t need charges, you don’t need a conviction.
“And if Commissioner Goodell is going to factor in an incident at Lake Tahoe more than a year ago, then I would say that Ben Roethlisberger is definitely facing some type of disciplinary action, definitely is going to probably be placed in the substance-abuse program, at the very least. Probably undergo some kind of clinical evaluation, and, I might add, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family that owns the club, they are certainly poised to establish some type of disciplinary action against the quarterback.”
Regarding the substance-abuse program, Mortensen didn’t say whether this was merely his own speculation or whether he’s heard from sources that Roethlisberger is likely to undergo substance-abuse treatment. (It was also a little confusing that Mortensen said both “definitely” and “probably.”) The league’s substance-abuse program is supposed to be confidential, so if Roethlisberger were to get league-mandated substance-abuse treatment, that fact might never become public.
But Mortensen believes this is a case the NFL and the Steelers are taking very seriously, despite the fact that no charges will be filed.
“My gut feeling,” Mortensen said, “is there will be some type of suspension.”
