Pittsburgh Steelers\’ spokesman Dave Lockett said the quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not to join his teammates this week for voluntary offseason workouts that begins Monday, according to media reports.
It is uncertain when Roethlisberger will join his teammates, but it appears Steelers\’ management and Big Ben himself believe his presence would be too much of a distraction for the rest of the team.
Team president Art Rooney said the Steelers are "in a situation (where) we\’re going to let this investigation play out and then go from there."
Roethlisberger has been accused of assaulting a 20-year-old Georgia college student on the night of March 5, but no criminal charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.
Moreover, Roethlisberger has been sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. The Steelers star denies those allegations and has asked for counter-damages.
Roethlisberger, 28, has led the Steelers to two Super Bowl championships in the six years.
Source:Xinhua/Agencies
