MEADVILLE — Football season is in full swing and the Steelers are off to a good start despite their recent loss to the Ravens and the temporary absence of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But all of that is about to change. Ben’s four-game suspension is officially over and he is eligible to play from this point forward, starting this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

If you recall, Ben created a huge mess for himself in Milledgeville, Ga., earlier this year when he behaved aggressively and inappropriately toward a 20-year-old woman he followed into a bar’s bathroom.

As a result of his actions, he stood accused of sexual assault, and although no rape charges were brought against him for the March 4 incident, Big Ben’s behavior was clearly unacceptable. As a result of his poor choices, he was suspended for four games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, lost some endorsements and witnessed a decline in sales of his football jersey.

If you’re a student athlete, what can you learn from this whole ugly incident? A lot.

n First, you should realize that sexual violence is a big problem in this country, and it affects many of the girls — and boys — whom you know. Teammates and friends have an important role to play in interrupting and preventing sexual violence. You don’t have to remain silent when you see something that you know isn’t right. Eyewitness accounts from March 4 revealed that Roethlisberger was surrounded by paid bodyguards and unpaid companions who failed to raise objections to his repeated aggressive behaviors toward women — behaviors that Sports Illustrated and other media investigations alleged to be part of a long-standing pattern. Sexual violence will end when brave people stand up for what is right. You can be one of those people.

n Alcohol does not cause men to assault women, though it is often incorrectly used as a defense for abusive behavior. Want some advice? If you see a friend acting in a way that suggests he might not have consent, or if he is pursuing sex with a girl whose age or state of inebriation might preclude her from being able to consent, interrupt him, confront him and stop him. And don’t put yourself in a situation where sexual consent is not clear. If you have any doubts, stop.

n Leadership in sports means leadership both on and off the field. Leaders earn respect not only because of their athletic abilities, but also because they give respect to people with whom they interact. What Roethlisberger may have forgotten that evening is that respect is earned, and can be lost if you demonstrate that you no longer deserve it.

n Your actions affect your team. If you are a member of a team, your actions are not just a reflection on you, but on your teammates and your school’s athletic program.

n The media cover athletes like Big Ben because of their abilities and accomplishments, and that same attention will be given if an athlete breaks the law or behaves in an unacceptable manner.

Student athletes can learn from Big Ben’s big mess. Treat people with respect, and they’ll respect you back. Sports may be important to you, but there are more important things in life. As much as you may want to be known for abilities on the field, don’t you also want to be known for the quality of your character off the field?

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, in partnership with Jackson Katz, creator and co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, has developed a teaching tool to help coaches discuss the issues related to the Ben Roethlisberger rape allegations. For more information, visit www.jacksonkatz.com or www.pcar.org or contact Bruce Harlan at Women’s Services Inc., 724-4637.



Harlan is executive director of Women’s Services of Crawford County.