Ben Roethlisberger: GROW UP

You know him as the Steelers two-time Super Bowl champion QB. He's only 28 years old and has accomplished more than most QB's ever will. He's one of the brightest minds in the game.

But off the field, the guy is a team's worst nightmare. He's currently warranting the Steeler organization to put a leash around his neck and tug it when he wanders off too far.

He seems to mess up every offseason. So, what is it going to take before Ben Roethlisberger just gets it?

Let's go back to the months after Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl -- you know -- when he almost died in that motorcycle accident. He wasn't wearing a helmet, nor was he carrying a valid license, when he was thrown over the handlebars of his bike. Seriously? No helmet? Maybe we should've known then that this guy doesn't seem to care about his life all that much.

Then a year ago, after winning his 2nd Super Bowl, he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in his hotel room while in Lake Tahoe for a celebrity golf tournament. Being an LA sports fan, this sounded familiar, but I was convinced that all this woman wanted was money. That was, at least, until last month.

Roethlisberger had once again been accused of sexual assault, but sad to say, this case sounded more legitimate. It's unclear exactly what went down, and it's likely we'll never find out. But we know there was blood, a bathroom and bodyguards stopping the accuser's friends from reaching her. What a headache.

Now Ben Roethlisberger is awaiting possible suspension from the NFL, even though he won't be charged with any crime. But this doesn't change the fact Ben can't stay out of trouble. What does it take for a rich pro athlete to keep his crayon from leaving the lines?

So many atheletes, like Roethlisberger, mess up often. People tend to blame it on their entourage. But I'm tired of hearing excuses for adult athletes that shouldn't be making these mistakes at all.

Ben is a grown man and he chose to make the mistake of going to that Atlanta club that night, not his friends. Mike Vick chose to kill those dogs, not his friends. Pac Man Jones chose to start fights and, well, you get my point.

 If I mess up it's my fault. Same for you. But why isn't that standard held for athletes?

I just wish Ben would grow up. Unlike the other athletes I mentioned, I actually expect good things of Ben. For some reason, it still shocks me when makes these mistakes.

Anyway, they're all spoiled brats. Roethlisberger should just be lucky he's white, otherwise he might've lost more than his jerky.