WATCH: Tapes From Ben Roethlisberger Investigation Released

by Glenn Davis | 4:05 pm, June 9th, 2010

Today, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation released over 50 audio and video tapes from their investigation of sexual assault allegations against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, including interviews with Roethlisberger’s accuser. It’s safe to say this story will not die down for a while.

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said, Sunshine Laws in Georgia – where the alleged incident took place – allow for much more material from investigations to become public than in many states. Hence, the Post-Gazette, among other organizations, began posting the released tapes earlier today. (One such tape is posted below.)

Meanwhile, the wire report (via the linked ESPN article) includes details that are, of course, disturbing if true. The accuser said Roethlisberger had a “short temper” and “would get…defensive.” And then, there’s:

During the first interview, she said she repeatedly told Roethlisberger, “I really don’t think this is OK,” but couldn’t stop him from having sex with her in the bathroom of a bar.

“I don’t know what I can … do,” she said. “I’m a little girl and he’s a big boy.”

From a second interview she conducted with authorities:

She told police she didn’t think trying to fight Roethlisberger would stop the assault.

“I figured it wouldn’t help anything,” she said. “I didn’t want, obviously, him to hurt me any more than he was going to.”

As for Roethlisberger himself, TMZ posted a video of him dancing to Miley Cyrus and handing out shots on the night in question. About what one would expect to see from someone in a bar who could easily have the entire place eating out of his hands, but certainly not going to win him any more sympathy.

Even though the investigation is over, Roethlisberger wasn’t charged, and he can potentially reduce his NFL-mandated suspension, he has a long way to go to get public opinion even remotely back in his favor. The release of the videos today will keep the allegations fresh in everyone’s mind, and will make Roethlisberger’s long way to go even longer. And if he finds his way into a situation like this again? Forget suspensions – he might be saying goodbye to his career.

Video of a police interview with Roethlisberger’s accuser: