Why the Ben Roethlisberger Suspension Is Too Harsh

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell simply bowed to public pressure with his six game suspension of Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger.

Many in the media have banged on Goodell over the past month or so about how his punishments have been more severe for black players, and this suspension appears to be Goodell's way of addressing the criticism.

If so, then that is plain wrong. Look, two wrongs don't make a right. Reverse racism is just as bad.

What exactly did Roethlisberger do to deserve such a harsh punishment?

He wasn't convicted of anything. And yes, while this may constitute a pattern of abuse, it's not like he murdered a bunch of dogs or killed a man.

In fact, at least legally, he did nothing.

Now, for those of you who say that the Steelers must know more because they didn't complain about the suspension, I say you are assuming.

And we all know what to assume means to you and me.

If this wasn't bad enough, now comes word that Roethlisberger may be on the trade market.

What? Really? To trade your star QB when he will miss more than a quarter of the season is the very definition of trading low.

Yes, he faced similar accusations by a woman in Nevada last year. But again, he was not convicted. 

Does that deserve such a harsh punishment?

Look, maybe he is guilty and maybe he is not. But we live in a society that presumes innocence. 

Meanwhile, we all recognize that there are women out there just dying to get a piece of the Roethlisberger fortune.

Kobe Bryant was accused of rape and was exonerated and he never served a day of suspension in the NBA.

Isn't losing almost $3 million in salary punishment enough? Does he really have to endure the embarrassment of being shopped around by the Steelers?

The suspension could be reduced to four games for good behavior after that behavioral evaluation, but Roethlisberger cannot attend any Steelers offseason activity until he completes the evaluation process.

To the writers who suggested that Goodell was inconsistent in his punishments with white players over black players, and there have been many of you, I have one thing to say:

You were right. Roethlisberger was treated unfairly.