Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension came of no surprise to me. Even though Ben was never arrested or found guilty on the rape charges, his image is a reflection of the National Football League. Mr. Roger Goodell has every right to punish one of the league’s superstars that give the NFL a bad name.

However, I’m not sure that an average person in the working world would undergo the same treatment Ben has gotten. Due to his highly recognizable name, the media has swarmed the story and reported multiple instances of women stepping forward who claim to have been sexually assaulted as well. I’m not sure an average working individual would have been laid off or given a “suspension” from work because of legal issues in their private lives. Especially if that individual was not found guilty in court.

Since Roger Goodell has stepped into office as commissioner, he has put his foot down on legal issues with his employees. Some examples of this include when Donte Stallworth killed a man while driving his car under the influence of alcohol, Adam “Pacman” Jones’s constant trouble with the police, and Michael Vick’s dog allegations. Before entering the league as commissioner, the National Football League was known for employing “thugs” or not well behaved football players.

One notably interesting thing I recall Goodell accomplishing is creating a program for incoming NFL rookies before their season starts. Last year, I believe Deion Sanders took all the first round draft picks and accompanied them through the NFL Hall of Fame. He first asked all the rookies if this was a place they wanted to be once they retire. After agreeing, Deion delivered a strong message that indicated the only way to be in the Hall of Fame is through hard work and being a positive influence in society.

Going back to the Ben Roethlisberger suspension, I believe NFL players do need to be put through a higher standard than the average citizen. Football is the most watched televised sport in the United States. Not coincidentally, the Superbowl always produces top ratings year in and year out (an event Ben has participated in twice). With so many young kids searching for role models, what kind of message does it send to these kids who have witnessed Ben’s actions? The courts could find no evidence on the allegations that Ben physically assaulted that woman; however, it is painfully obvious with so many stories coming out that this has been a reoccurring situation. Without any punishment, Ben’s followers who are not capable for determining right from wrong, could potentially see this as an action that is acceptable in society. By punishing Ben Roethlisberger, the message is clear that these actions are not acceptable even if you can get away with it in court.

Another huge issue in this story is the role the media plays. On ESPN last week, there was a short documentary on how athletes are becoming the new “thing” in Hollywood. In the past, media and paparazzi would swarm famous actors, politicians, etc. However, we are seeing a transition in pop culture that puts athletes in spot lights they have never seen before. Picture phones and cameras are owned by nearly every person in America these days. Athletes can’t even go into public without having their “private” lives become public.

I am not standing up for Ben Roethlisberger’s actions; however, I am simply stating that some athletes are not prepared to handle this new spotlight they are being put in. Athletes can’t attend public parties anymore without an individual snapping a photograph and selling it to news sources for money.

Something Roger Goodell should consider, in addition to handing out suspensions, is to set up a program mandatory for all NFL athletes. The program/seminar should inform the athletes how they are being put under an unfair spotlight and how to handle themselves in public. Many of these athletes are coming straight from a college setting where the only news they would make nationally is based on the athletic field. I’m not quite sure I would know how to handle myself in the public spotlight upon graduation if I was in the position these athletes are.

Should NFL players be held to a higher standard than others in society? Yes, of course. However, the media has partly put Roger Goodell in this situation. In years past, there is no way some of the scandals that are leaked to the media are portrayed the way they are today. In the 1980’s, I’m not so sure CNN, Fox News, and others would cover Tiger Wood’s press conference apologizing to his family members and friends. I’m not so sure CNN would cover Tiger’s wife, Elin, picking up their daughter at preschool. However, since this is now how athletes are perceived to the world, they must be held to a higher standard than others in society. If not, there could potentially be some uninformed kids who act on actions they see as acceptable by athletes.