Roethlisberger Leaves Bathroom Stalls for the House of the Lord

[CloakNNNdagger]

............He's engaged to be married in June.........

It may be a relatively short engagement but the relationship was much longer in the making. After finishing an afternoon practice in August 2005, Mr. Roethlisberger walked through part of the Saint Vincent campus, ran into a fan and started talking to him. The guy had a sister, Ashley Harlan.

"We were kind of on and off for five years -- almost six years now -- so I've known her for a while. It's not like a random new person. We dated awhile ago; we have been friends ever since."

Mr. Roethlisberger said he was determined to not only change his image but also change his ways since he was publicly humiliated -- but never charged --after a female college student claimed he sexually assaulted her in a Georgia bar 13 months ago. Players say he has become a better teammate and friend, and many from the media covering him to those working in the front office have noticed a change in attitude. He has stayed out of the limelight, intentionally, and avoided talking even after news of his engagement first leaked while the team prepared for the playoffs in January.

Some of the reaction to his engagement coming so soon after his personal problems last year was met with skepticism.

"People will always have opinions of everybody and me, and that's fine, they're entitled," Mr. Roethlisberger said. "But people who know her, know me, know us ... it's funny because I've even had lot of fan mail through my website and stuff; people will write in and say -- even before any word came out about an engagement -- 'Ben, you look like something's different with you. You look like a happier person, you play happy, you smile more on the field.' Part of that is because I'm a happier person, I'm in a happy place, but a lot of that has to do with her, too.

"People can say that it is whatever, but people who know and can see and are around us and know me, know that it's something special when you find that person, and I'm extremely lucky."

Ms. Harlan, a physician's assistant who turns 27 in July, lives at home with her parents. Mr. Roethlisberger cited the couple's religious faith and beliefs as the reasons for not living together until marriage. He also hopes she can continue to live her life out of the spotlight.

"I try to protect her as much as I can. People have gone to her parents' house and have been doing some things," Mr. Roethlisberger said of the media. "That bothers me a little bit because it's what I do for a living, I have to deal with it, but her parents and her, that's not what they have to do. I understand it's going to happen a little bit, but I'm still going to try to be very protective of the people I love -- my family, my sister, my aunts, uncles, grandparents and now her. I try to be very protective of them because I don't want her to have to be scrutinized over every little thing she does."

[infantrycak]

Mr. Roethlisberger cited the couple's religious faith and beliefs as the reasons for not living together until marriage.

This one always cracks me up. You can bet his religious beliefs didn't stop him from but lord knows can't cohabitate.

[Wolf]

http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/ashley...?pid=125#image

[TD]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

This one always cracks me up. You can bet his religious beliefs didn't stop him from but lord knows can't cohabitate.

You ASSuming facts not in evidence?

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by TD

You ASSuming facts not in evidence?

Yes I am based on the actual actions of those who have said the same thing to me before and Ben's prior conduct.

[Texecutioner]

Congrats to Big Ben. One of my favorite QB's to watch around the league.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by TD

You ASSuming facts not in evidence?

No one questions the fact that he had sex with that chic in a bar restroom. Rape was the only part in question. Somehow, religious beliefs and boinking some random chic you just met in a bar restroom don't mesh. Could be just me.

[TD]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Yes I am based on the actual actions of those who have said the same thing to me before and Ben's prior conduct.

Originally Posted by eriadoc

No one questions the fact that he had sex with that chic in a bar restroom. Rape was the only part in question. Somehow, religious beliefs and boinking some random chic you just met in a bar restroom don't mesh. Could be just me.

Could be that who people are isn't always who they were. I know people who have done worse than Ben, but are better people now than I'll ever hope to be. Its not that far-fetched he has changed.

Its not like I'd let him date my daughter without reservation, but absent proof he hasn't made the changes he (and his teammates) claim he's made. Who are we to doubt him?

[TimeKiller]

Why is this news?

Oh yeah....because he needs positive PR.

Because he is a rapist.

After finishing an afternoon practice in August 2005, Mr. Roethlisberger walked through part of the Saint Vincent campus, ran into a fan and started talking to him

Am I the only one that thought the only reason this was newsworthy was because Big Ben just came out of the closet?

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by TD

Could be that who people are isn't always who they were. I know people who have done worse than Ben, but are better people now than I'll ever hope to be. Its not that far-fetched he has changed.

Its not like I'd let him date my daughter without reservation, but absent proof he hasn't made the changes he (and his teammates) claim he's made. Who are we to doubt him?

Well won't be the first time or the last I will be cynical. In my observation those who say "we are saving ourselves for marriage" may be and those who say "we don't live together because of our religious beliefs" are boinking.

[TD]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Well won't be the first time or the last I will be cynical. In my observation those who say "we are saving ourselves for marriage" may be and those who say "we don't live together because of our religious beliefs" are boinking.

So what do the ones getting hummers and hand jobs say? (besides thank you)

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by TD

So what do the ones getting hummers and hand jobs say? (besides thank you)

Other than the standard chrome off a trailer hitch and golf ball through a garden hose comments?

You forgot booty love. And you left the girls out unless I have missed it and hummer has become a unisex term.

[Dutchrudder]

Daniel Tosh

"I love how Kobe Bryant puts out a commercial this year where he's like, 'Hate me because I'm a champion, hate me because of my work ethic.' It's like 'we hate you because you were accused of rape!'"

It's tough to lose the 'rapist' tag. More like a brand for life...

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by Dutchrudder

Daniel Tosh

"I love how Kobe Bryant puts out a commercial this year where he's like, 'Hate me because I'm a champion, hate me because of my work ethic.' It's like 'we hate you because you were accused of rape!'"

It's tough to lose the 'rapist' tag. More like a brand for life...

And bathroom rape is the dirtiest of all. It is virtually impossible to wipe it off using the usual available "necessities."

[TimeKiller]

When I told my girl he was getting married she said, "Did he force her to marry him?!"

[CloakNNNdagger]

For those compelled to send a wedding gift, the couple is registered with Macy's......and here's the list:

http://www1.macys.com/registry/weddi..._HIGHEST_FIRST

[Pollardized]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

For those compelled to send a wedding gift, the couple is registered with Macy's......and here's the list:

http://www1.macys.com/registry/weddi..._HIGHEST_FIRST

I signed Bill and Corrosion up and fulfilled about $2000.00 in their names. Sure hope they pay that bill....

Maybe they will get a wedding invite and can report back on the after party!!!!

[Dutchrudder]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

When I told my girl he was getting married she said, "Did he force her to marry him?!"

I think this girl is just an Eagles fan in disguise who's trying to ruin his career...

[TimeKiller]

my lady or roethlisberger's lady?


my lady ain't no iggle fan...