Westhampton - Big Ben Has Small Values. Big Ben has a long way to go to live up to his nickname. Do you really believe that Ben Roethlisberger is a leader? His behavior off the football field has been a disgrace!

I do not care that he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories. I've always liked the Steelers, dating back to their Steel Curtain dynasty days in the 1970s, as my Dad grew up in Pittsburgh and although I was raised in Cleveland, because of my Dad's influence, we became Steelers fans.

But it is difficult to continue to be a Steelers fan with the behavior of their star quarterback.

Ben Roethlisberger, No. 7, Pittsburgh Steelers. (wordpress.com)

I have become a huge Roger Goodell fan, though, based on the NFL Commissioner's strong leadership, most recently with his suspension of Ben Roethlisberger for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. (As you know, Roethlisberger is also supposed to undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation and depending on his progress, Goodell may reduce the suspension to four games).

This was a huge decision by Goodell who said that a ton of research went into his decision as Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the conduct policy who hasn't been arrested or charged with a crime.

I am relieved that the NFL and most everyone else 'read between the lines' despite the fact that the prosecutors decided not to charge Roethlisberger after a 20-year-old college student accused him of sexually assaulting her in a Georgia nightclub in March.

Sure, the student's accusations could not be proved "beyond a reasonable doubt." I had heard that the janitor was allowed to clean the bathroom before authorities could collect any evidence there! And what woman would want to be dragged through an ugly, costly trial? It's no wonder the accuser did not want to prosecute.

And then there is the case in Reno in 2008. Andrea McNulty, a VIP casino hostess, claimed that Roethlisberger raped her in a hotel penthouse. Documents that were filed last year state that McNulty was stationed as a concierge on the 17th floor on July 11, 2008, when Roethlisberger returned to his room with a young woman. About 20 minutes later, he walked that woman to the elevator, then stopped by the concierge desk and chatted with staff, including the accuser. A few minutes later, the documents say that Roethlisberger called McNulty and asked her if she could fix his television. She said the television was working properly and that Roethlisberger then blocked her from leaving and assaulted her. Roethlisberger denies the accusation and was not charged. He has claimed counter-damages in a lawsuit.

Andrea McNulty. (hehollywoodgossip.com)

The more I read about these cases, the more I feel for the women who had to make the decision whether to pursue legal action against Ben and his big shot attorneys. The case in Reno has undergone many twists and turns and apparently three changes of judges. Roethlisberger's legal team apparently demanded that McNulty drop the lawsuit and write a letter of apology to Roethlisberger. Say what? If she were to do this, Roethlisberger's legal team would release her from what they are saying is an attempt to "extort and defame" him.

According to reports, McNulty's attorney said that she would be willing to settle the civil matter against the NFL star if he admits to raping her, apologizes and gives $100,000 to the Committee to Aid Abused Women, a non-profit agency in Reno that helps victims of domestic violence.

So much for wanting to extort money from him!

I am glad the Steelers have been critical of Roethlisberger as well. They should be. Roethlisberger's behavior is both reckless and demeaning to the franchise. These are only two cases that we know about. How many more women might he have assaulted? And he obviously has the money and the powerful legal team to make it look like the women are lying and trying to extort him.

When are these guys going to wake up and realize that just because they are successful and high-paid athletes, it does not entitle them to misbehave?

Tiger said he had convinced himself that "normal rules did not apply" to him…that he "felt entitled."

Ben better wake up and realize that the only thing he is entitled to is a paycheck from the Steelers when he returns from his suspension, if he's not traded before then!