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Jul 22, 2009 8:44 am US/Eastern
Roethlisberger Lawsuit May Be Distraction For Team
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers passes the ball against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California.
Robert Laberge/Getty Images
The NFL season is just around the corner with training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers starting next week.
The team is supposed to be focused on defending their Super Bowl championship, but a lawsuit against quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could become a distraction.
A woman in Nevada has filed a lawsuit against Roethlisberger claiming sexual assault charges against him in 2008. The 36-page civil complaint is based on the allegations of Andrea McNulty.
But it was just seven years ago when former Steelers' star running back Jerome Bettis also defended against allegations of assault. Now, with the new season on the horizon, the Steelers quarterback is facing similar allegations.
Bettis was accused of sexually assaulting a woman outside of a Greensburg night club; however, investigators said Bettis was being blackmailed.
"It's very discouraging when you have things like this brought up against your teammates and without knowing the exact details of what happened it's very difficult because everything is up in the air," said former Steeler Mike Logan, who once was a teammate of both Bettis and Roethlisberger.
Bettis' attorney recalled the case as a horrifying episode for the running back.
"An allegation of sexual misconduct, if it's true, is a horrible thing," sad attorney Bob DelGreco. "And just as horrible is an allegation of sexual misconduct if it isn't true."
As the investigation and the civil lawsuit filed against Roethlisberger continues, Logan says he believes it could have a major impact on the rest of the team.
"You know that's going to be the story headline," says Logan. "Its not going to be, 'How is it to defend a Super Bowl?' That's going to be the second question after they address Ben and what this situation is."
Meanwhile, a news conference scheduled Thursday to promote Roethlisberger's reality TV competition with Shaquille O'Neal has been cancelled.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
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