Where is the Hate for Big Ben?

In the wake of seeing the new Dick Sporting Goods commercial in which Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is endorsing Nike cleats, I could not help but think, "Where is the hate for Big Ben?"

I watch former Falcons QB Michael Vick try to land a job in the NFL and pay debtors off. I also form another question, "Why isn't Big Ben getting the same treatment as Mike Vick received?"

Well one difference is that the Steelers QB apparently has not been charged with any crime. According to a report on July 20 by NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, a civil suit has been filed against the two-time Super Bowl Winner.

The good thing about what is going on with Roethlisberger is that he has already come out and stated that he will be fighting the suit until he is cleared of any wrong doing. Pittsburgh does not want this to be a distraction during training camp like it was in the 07 season with Atlanta and Vick. The Falcons also were dealing with a lot of other factors including the hiring of former Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino and implementing his new system.

There is not an organization protesting Ben Roethlisberger for the crime he is allegedly being sued for. It is still allegations but it was still allegations for Vick as well. Soon as those allegations came for Vick, so came PETA and the rest is history. To this day Vick still has to deal with PETA, the media, Roger Goodell, and the general public's perception of him.

Leonard Little, defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, had Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to deal with when he killed Susan Gutweiler back in 1998. Even though Little was not a face for the NFL, he became a perennial Pro Bowler. Little did not receive the treatment or scrutiny that Vick has to go through everyday for what he has done. Where is the organization that protest against men who rape women?

This commercial proves to me that various companies will stand behind Big Ben. Dick Sporting Goods released this commercial to the public around the time the civil suit was out. Vick, on the other hand, was not even convicted before he saw a change. He began to see his endorsements fall expeditiously until he did not have any more.

Bankruptcy, prison time, house arrest, probation, and being a convicted felon are Vick's consequences and repercussions. The worst thing that could happen to Roethlisberger is that he would lose the civil suit and he may get suspended.

The truth of the matter is that the public loves a winner. Sports companies love a winner. Franchises love a winner. They all love a winner, unless you are Plaxico Burress, which is another story.