Ben Roethlisberger issued a statement of apology and promised that he would do more than what is required of him to get back in the good graces of the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell.
When Goodell suspended the Steelers Super Bowl winning quarterback he told the world that Ben needed an immediate intervention and the league was ready to do it.
The NFL will provide ways for Ben to be evaluated by professionals who will determine if he needs counseling for his behavior, a substance abuse problem or both.
Until the evaluation is complete he cannot participate in off-season activities with his club and presumably if treatment is recommended, Ben will get going on that ASAP.
His progress and behavior during this time will be monitored. Prior to the commencement of the 2010 season, Goodell will determine the length of the suspension.
Thus begins another NFL reclamation project for one of the faces of the league. Where have we seen this before? With Michael Vick of course.
But here is what Goodell didn't serve up to Ben on a silver platter, an Athlete Whisperer. No one has emerged as the personal guide through this process for Roethlisberger. In other words, where is Tony Dungy or his counterpart in all this?
Dungy made himself available to Michael Vick and his camp for counsel, conversation and guidance of the non-professional kind both during Vick's incarceration and his post-prison life.
He was only a phone call away any time Vick wanted to vent or sought help to readjust his attitude and get through the wreckage he had made of his life.
Dungy served not only as a personal counselor but also helped clear the way with NFL teams to allay fears they had about employing the former quarterback. In essence he vouched for Michael Vick.
He updated Goodell regularly on Vick's progress and but for Dungy's assurances, there might not have been a team willing to employ him.
Ben Roethlisberger already has a job and if he does what he is told without any other incidents he'll be back at the helm of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nonetheless, a person who is respected around the league has not stepped up to vouch for his rehabilitation.
It could not have been pleasant for a star athlete who is almost 30 years old to listen to his ultimate boss say he needed professional evaluation of how he lives his life.
Perhaps he has family members who can serve the Dungy role but if not, who would make a good Dungy-equivalent in Ben's life?
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