Is Ben Roethlisberger guilty?

After it recently broke that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has been accused of sexual assualts, stories started popping up all across the internet.

Pictures of Big Ben Roethlisberger with numerous women and accounts of drunken debauchery from the night were soon to follow. Now, police are investigating, and Ben Roethlisberger is in a precarious situation.

Unfortunately for Roethlisberger, this is not the first time he has been accused of sexual assault. In 2009, Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.

The current situation, which happened at a bar near Georgia College and Georgia State University, is unrelated, but still potentially devastating for Ben Roethlisberger. In the account, Roethlisberger allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old woman in the washroom of the Capital City nightclub.

I would love to say this is just another crazy fan trying to make some money, and I would like to defend Roethlisberger, but whether he is innocent or guilty, he definitely is putting himself in potentially dangerous situations. Two sexual assault accusations in less than a year?

Based on the accounts on TMZ.com, I would tend to assume he's not guilty, but as a professional athlete, Ben Roethlisberger needs to be aware that his actions, even those he thinks are private, are available to the world at any moment. Just ask Tiger Woods.

Is he guilty? I guess we'll have to let the courts decide, if the case even gets that far. One thing is for sure, the former Super Bowl Champion needs to re-evaluate his social life. Ben Roethlisberger is one mistake away from being dragged through the media and tarnishing his spectacular NFL career.

The Top Five Super Bowl Commercials

I sat down, and I was ready. Ready to laugh. Then I waited, and waited, and waited, but the funny commercials just didn’t come. Personally, I think this was one of the worst collections of Super Bowl commercials in decades. Out of the rubble however, a few commercials did stand out. Here are my top five Super Bowl commercials, and yes, I did include Tim Tebow:

1. Monster.com: Beavers - Maybe it’s the fact I’m Canadian, or maybe it really was just a well made commercial, but the violin playing beaver was one of the best in this crowd. Animal centered commercials have always been popular (see the Budweiser frogs/lizards and the Clydesdales). This beaver was cute, funny, and he got the girl in the end. All because he found his dream job at Monster.com.

2. Doritos: Play Nice – “Keep your hands off my momma, and keep your hands off my Doritos.” That little man packed a stiff slap when he recognized the two things he loved the most, his mom and his chips, were in danger. Clean, funny, to the point, and ended up being one of the few commercials I remembered. Honourable mention goes to Doritos "Dog Gets Revenge" commercial, however, their "Miracle" commercial was terrible.

3. Tim Tebow and Focus on the Family - Why is this here you ask? Because, it proved all the critics wrong. The Tebow commercial was tasteful and avoided being “preachy.” It gave viewers the information necessary to discover Focus on the Family and told a good story. On this organizations website, you’ll find a sit down talk with Tebow and his mother about his near abortion as well as other family orientated information. Check it out at focusonthefamily.com. Really people, it wasn’t that bad was it? Can we all go back to remembering Tebow is a great football player and a good person, not the trouble maker he’s recently been made out to be. Shame on the media for jumping to conclusions.

4. Google: Parisian Love - This one leaked on the internet months ago. With emerging competition from Bing, which personally I think bites; Google came up big during the big game. This commercial was not funny, but was heartfelt and searched its way through an individual’s life. From meeting a girl and learning French, to finding a job, a home, and having a baby. Google hit one out of the park when they created a commercial that highlights what has made them famous.

5. Bridgestone: Bachelor Party - Ripping off the comedy hit of the year, “The Hangover,” will likely happen more than a few times this year. This commercial, which featured an Orca whale and a few guys putting an end to a bachelor party was funny, yet not ridiculous. Obviously the ability to cover up an intense night of drinking by ridding your last piece of evidence, a giant whale, into the ocean relies on driving with Bridgestone tires. Either way you look at it, it was a great commercial.

I also really loved the Betty White Snickers spot, the Dennys commercials, and TruTV.

So they weren’t that funny, in fact, several of the best commercials proved not to be funny at all, but there were some highlights in the sludge that was the 2010 Super Bowl Commercials. Here’s hoping next year features more beer commercials, more animals, and Tim Tebow can come too if he wants.

Let the games begin.

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Oh the Saints Go Marching In

It's official, the city of New Orleans can overcome anything.

Less than 5 years after Hurricane Katrina crushed New Orleans, the city has once again proved it can meet any challenge. Trailing the Indianapolis Colts 10-0 after the first quarter, the New Orleans Saints battled back to win Super Bowl XLIV 31-17.

Bourbon Street and the French Quarter in New Orleans was flooded with thousands of celebrating fans minutes after the victory and for a moment at least, everyone forgot the woes that faced and still face New Orleans in the wake of Katrina.

The Saints were the rallying cry for the city immediately after Hurricane Katrina, and proved last night, that they remain the heart of 'The Big Easy' today.

Led by quarterback Drew Brees and star Reggie Bush, the Saints came back from their 10 point deficit and dominated Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Whether you were cheering for the Colts or the Saints, you have to congratulate the city of New Orleans and realize what this victory means for the region. Once crushed to the point where it seemed nothing could save the city, New Orleans is now the talk of the United States for better things. Mardi Gras is fast approacing and the New Orleans Saints are Super Bowl XLIV champions.

It's a great story. Even though I picked the Colts to win, I am happy for the Saints and even happier for the comeback story that is New Orleans.

Let the games begin.

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FIFA helps Haiti, kind of

This is one time when the promotion of sport needs to take a back seat. Anyone and everyone helping the people of Haiti needs to be commended, but FIFA has missed the point.

The worlds largest soccer organization has pledged $3 million to Haiti. No, not for food, not for clean water, hospitals, medicine, or schools, but for soccer of course.

It seems ill-timed and almost ridiculous that such a large international organization would focus on rebuilding their sport in a nation like Haiti, instead of providing basic supplies that are necessary for survival.

Call me crazy, but I think that soccer will be the last thing on the mind of the Haitian people for quite some time. After 9-11, baseball seemed to re-unite the American people. This however, is not 9-11. This was the destruction of a nation, the loss of 200,000 lives.

Soccer is a wonderful game and is a sport that is played in many third-world and developing countries, but it does not take the place of food and shelter.

Immediately following the earthquake in Haiti, FIFA also donated approximately $250,000. The donations I'm sure, are both greatly appreciated, however, the discrepency between what was given for basic human survival, and the amount given for a game, seems illogical.

Either way, FIFA should be applauded for helping to rebuild Haiti. Even if they are only rebuilding soccer fields.

Let the games begin.

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Obama investigating BCS

Tell me why? Somebody? Anybody? Why is the BCS being investigated for breaking antitrust laws? I understand Obama is a sports fan, but this doesn't seem like a necessary move.

Don't get me wrong, the BCS is a complete and utter farce. There have been years when thousands of fans are left shaking their heads as to why a particular team was named the National Champion, or why a particular team was not invited to play in the big game.

But why is this being investigated? Seriously, who cares. The winner and loser of that game isn't going to change someones life, isn't going to save someones life, isn't going to bring jobs, help the economy, or bring world peace.

I love sports and I love football, but this seems like an incredible waste of time and money to me.

If NCAA football were to go to a strick playoff system, endless arguements would inevitably be brought up. After each individual conference named a winner, how would we rank each team for the next round? What team from what league would be the number 1 ranked team in the playoffs? Big Ten champ? Big 12 champ? What about the ACC? Or the Pac 10?

And then, who would participate in the countless bowl games? The runner up of the Big East versus the Conference USA champion?

The questions and controversy would continue. The BSC rankings in my opinion are bogus, but ranking teams in NCAA college sports is difficult enough. With so many teams and conferences across the nation, there will always be mis-ranked teams.

Regardless, this is an issue for the NCAA and it's residing members, not the government. It is not antitrust when an undefeated team does not get the chance to play for a National Championship. Being the strongest team in a weak division does not make you a great team. If we're going by these standards, shouldn't an undefeated team from Division II or D-III have the chance to play for a national championship?

The system is flawed, but hopefully the Obama administration will leave it up to the NCAA to deal with these issues.

Let the games begin.

Tim Tebow's Super Bowl Debut

He won't be playing football, but college star and Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow will defnitely be making a memorable Super Bowl debut this year.

Much controversy has been churning about the 30-second anti-abortion commercial Tebow will appear in with his mother Pam during the Super Bowl.

Yes, it is an opinionated commercial and a bold stand for the young Tebow to make, but did we honestly expect anything less from him? Tebow has been open about his religious beliefs since he first took a snap in college ball. During major games he has been known to wear Bible verses painted under his eyes.

Television commercials advertise everything from beer and cars, to political candidates, and yes, even pro-choice and anti-abortion campaigns. I understand it makes people uncomfortable, but not everyone chooses to buy a Cadillac or to drink Bud Light just because they've seen the commercial.

Whether you agree with his choices or not, Tim Tebow is advocating for his beliefs, and making a stand, something that many of us never do.

If Tebow becomes an NFL quarterback, you can expect the debates to continue and people will come to accept Tebow for who he is, or they won't. Tim Tebow is steadfast and he will not change, even if it costs him the spotlight that so many crave.

Voicing disdain and opposition to Tebow is a viewers right, but it is also his right, to voice his opinion. I think it is refreshing to see a young man peacefully making a stand. Watch the commercial or don't, agree or disagree, the debate of Tim Tebow is just beginning.

If only we spent as much time shouting to the world about the gun toating, sexaholic, drug addict, abusive athletes, as we did about Tim Tebow. But these are the behaviors we expect from athletes aren't they? Tebow and his wholesomeness are rare in sports, and that is what makes him rare, and controversial.

Let the games begin.

Is Shaun Suisham's time with the Dallas Cowboys done?

Umm, yes. Ja, oui, hai, si. He's gone. I hate to admit it since I grew up less than a kilometer from Suisham, but I can't imagine him back with the Dallas Cowboys next season.

This fact was punctuated earlier this week when the Cowboys auditioned kicker Sandro DeAngelis. Apparently the Cowboys like Canadian kickers as Suisham is a Wallaceburg, Ontario native, while DeAngelis hails from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Regardless of the outcome, you can expect the versitile Suisham to rebound somewhere, whether it is in the NFL or the CFL. Starting his career playing college ball in Bowling Green, Suisham was cut loose early this season by the Washington Redskins after a devastating series of misses.

DeAngelis, who has never played a game in the NFL, does have a Grey Cup Championship to his name in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders.

In retrospect, the Cowboys might kick themselves for releasing kicker Nick Folk.

Personally, I think Suisham has what it takes to be an NFL kicker. His leg strength is incredible, however, timely misses have plagued him over the past year.

Super Manning, Super Bowl

It wasn't pretty; in fact, it looked like it wasn't going to happen. Regardless of how he did it, Peyton Manning is taking his Indianapolis Colts back to the Super Bowl. After last winning the Super Bowl in 2006, the Colts managed to overcome a feisty New York Jets defense.

For Jets fans, this represents yet another dissapointment. Just when things look like they are looking up, the Jets manage to pull the carpet out and ruin everything.

For Manning, it's just another notch on his bedpost toward one of the greatest careers in the history of the NFL. He's simply Super. When you think the game is looking grim, he pulls his Colts back from the brink and turns in another stellar performance.

Manning not only runs the Colts, but he often runs life in my house. Check out this archived column about "How Peyton Manning saved Sunday." How Peyton Manning Saved Sunday

Now, it's off to Super Bowl XLIV, and I feel sorry for whoever Peyton's opponent is. Especially if it's the decrepit Brett Favre. It will almost feel good to watch him cry yet again.



The Colts are the 2010 AFC Champions. Colts 30 - NY Jets 17.