Roethlisberger Regects Settlement, Legal Rollercoaster Continues

The twists and turns, the ups and downs of the sexual assault/rape case being brought against Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have resembled a rollercoaster ride.

A slow climb to the top, a moment to survey the scenery, and then just when you least expect it everything goes spiraling into a crazy maze of uncertainty that leaves you and everyone around you wondering what is going to happen next. Then, just as suddenly as the whole thing started the ride comes screeching to an abrupt stop.

We’ve seen it all unfold. Roethlisberger climbs to the top of the hill as he leads his team down the field and throws the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLIII. He rests at the pinnacle to survey what it feels like as he makes his rounds on the talk show circuit, the white house and celebrity golf tournaments. Then without a hint the bottom falls out. Andrea McNulty brings a civil suit against Roethlisberger. Accusing him of sexual assault among a list of other things, and the wild ride begins.

The rollercoaster came to a screeching halt today as McNulty dropped a bomb on the tracks.

She is now willing to settle the suit if Roethlisberger is willing admits to raping her and make a $100,000 donation to the Committee to Aid Abused Women.

If Roethlisberger admits guilt and pays the donation to the Reno based nonprofit that offers support to domestic violence victims, McNulty is willing to drop the suit.

What hasn’t been mentioned in the list of demands is what the self-written apology will do to ruin Roethlisberger’s public reputation for the long term.

Roethlisberger’s attorney David Cornwell rejected the settlement offer in a statement Wednesday, calling the offer bizarre. Cornwell also said that the proposal is an insult to women who have legitimately suffered from sexual misconduct.

Proceedings will continue in the case as planned unless McNulty decides to drop the suit in coming days. At this point it looks like McNulty is looking for a way off the rollercoaster, but Roethlisberger doesn’t seem to have a problem with taking another ride if it means clearing his name and reputation from the charges against him.

Only time will tell.