As a father...

[steelblood]

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

[feltdizz]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

That has to be tough...

I guess it's time to have the talk about how these idols can fail off the field.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I fell like I'm in the same position.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

This is a dilemma that a lot of fans face. The thoughts and ideas about the way he treats women will linger even if Ben is innocent. There just has to be a better way to deal with women then trying to seduce them in the bathrooms of bars.

[papillon]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

[Sugar]

Re: As a father...

As a father myself I think it's also important to point out the value of your reputation. For all we know, these are both slanderous accusations. Even if both men are cleared of any wrongdoing, the damage has been done.

There is no "just kidding" or "my bad" or "innocent mistake" in this kind of thing. False accusations ruin people's lives which is probably why their prohibition is one of the 10 commandments.

[Shawn]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

This is $$$. Your boys will learn to treat women how their father treats women.

[steelblood]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

Pappy,

It is exactly that failure to understand that is the problem here. My boys want to understand why someone would do this. Being a good example is only part of the battle. Helping them make sense of this muddled, gray world is often the real challenge.

[cruzer8]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

Pappy,

It is exactly that failure to understand that is the problem here. My boys want to understand why someone would do this. Being a good example is only part of the battle. Helping them make sense of this muddled, gray world is often the real challenge.

Start with explaining to your boys the difference between "accused" and "charged".

Hope that helps.

[Jigawatts]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

Pappy,

It is exactly that failure to understand that is the problem here. My boys want to understand why someone would do this. Being a good example is only part of the battle. Helping them make sense of this muddled, gray world is often the real challenge.

Start with explaining to your boys the difference between "accused" and "charged".

Hope that helps.

Accused or charged, what's the difference? A black eye is a black eye. Next thing you
know Heath Miller is accused of naked-driving a motorized bar stool over the Roberto
Clemente Bridge. This is starting to get ridiculous.

[aggiebones]

Re: As a father...

Haha, sucks to be you!
My boys are 5, 2 and 6 months in utero.

My boys still idolize me. I'm the King baby!

Piper will likely be paid soon however...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

Pappy,

It is exactly that failure to understand that is the problem here. My boys want to understand why someone would do this. Being a good example is only part of the battle. Helping them make sense of this muddled, gray world is often the real challenge.

Start with explaining to your boys the difference between "accused" and "charged".

Hope that helps.

Accused or charged, what's the difference? A black eye is a black eye. Next thing you
know Heath Miller is accused of naked-driving a motorized bar stool over the Roberto
Clemente Bridge. This is starting to get ridiculous.

C'mon man...get your facts straight. It was Sean McHugh, wearing a jock strap, riding a Segway, across the Smithfield Street Bridge. Sheesh.

[cruzer8]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

Treat their mother, sisters, aunts, nieces and female friends with respect and they will learn by observing you. They see you every day, Ben and Santonio are two men who have no day-to-day contact with your sons. You can remind them that you do not treat women in this fashion and that it is unacceptable.

We have two boys (13 and 10) they don't understand why anyone would do this, hopefully, because I treat their mother with respect and admiration.

Pappy

Pappy,

It is exactly that failure to understand that is the problem here. My boys want to understand why someone would do this. Being a good example is only part of the battle. Helping them make sense of this muddled, gray world is often the real challenge.

Start with explaining to your boys the difference between "accused" and "charged".

Hope that helps.

Accused or charged, what's the difference? A black eye is a black eye. Next thing you
know Heath Miller is accused of naked-driving a motorized bar stool over the Roberto
Clemente Bridge. This is starting to get ridiculous.

They're football players, not priests.

Oh wait........

[Snatch98]

Re: As a father...

I'm at a loss to explain assaults on women. I hope they are both innocent, but even the allegations are difficult to communicate to my 8 and 10 year old boys who idolize these athletes. I continue to say that I don't if they did these things. But, I'm beginning to feel like an apologist or a lawyer instead of a Steeler fan.

I'm staunchly against physical/mental/emotional abuse against a male or a female. I don't have kids of my own but I do have a younger sister. My gf (We've been together 8 years) has a younger brother that I consider a little brother so I see it both ways from a "protector" stand point. Now with that said I was having a discussion about all of this with my mom a few weeks ago. She flat out said that she would be fearful sending another son to college because of the now escalating actions of co-eds, specifically females preying on males. Mind you she also has a daughter my younger sister who is now in grad school. If you ask me she's absolutely right. What is to top a girl from claiming something happened because she knows society/law enforcement and the judicial system period is going to side with the female in the early goings.

Guys aren't protected at all, throw some money in to the equation and it can get ugly quick. A certain contingent is quick to go to the defense of the "innocent little co-ed" when everything points to some elaborate fabrication. The police haven't moved on anything for a reason and Jim Rome said it best. Big Ben had a dollar sign on his chest and a target on his back. Yes he should have used more discretion in this instance and a few others but just because he's our 100 million dollar man and a male doesn't mean he should be demonized. Women know the leverage they have and now more than ever aren't afraid to use it. All of which is exactly why guys have to be increasingly more careful and aware of their surroundings.

What's stopping some chick from walking out of a bathroom at a college party, seeing a guy she doesn't like and screaming bloody murder just because? I'm not saying this happens regularly if ever but what's stopping it? If a guy said the same he'd be laughed at...when a girl says it the world stops. It's ridiculous if you ask me and exactly why Ben is in "trouble" and why this Santonio thing is now coming out of the woodwork.

[Ghost]

Re: As a father...

Good luck to all you dads out there. I can't imagine how hard it is these days.

Before my dad died, he had never laid a hand on my mother in 31 years of marriage. I have the utmost respect for women and can't imagine anyth situation outside of life and death where a man would assault one. But I'm with Snatch98. This is insane and really there is no protection for any guy who happens to be in the cross hairs of an accusation, truth and facts or not. It's scary and I'm guessing this is something you have to talk with your little guys about as well.

I wonder how may guys here were ever in a situation where if a girl had said something you would have been screwed? A situation where consent was given but it would have been your word against hers. Scary stuff.