Winning is Everything: Part One

Every athlete can attest to the value of a championship. Athletes are judged solely on statistics and the primary stat is number of rings, (majors, gold medals, etc). Championships validate an athlete's career or tarnish one when their trophy case remains empty. Not only do the 'ships validate a career, but they also fix prior mistakes. Ben Roethlisberger had a "mistake" needing fixing, but was foiled by a man looking to validate himself from a legend's shadow.

Dan Marino was statistically the best quarterback ever before Number Four came along. However, he was unable to win a Super Bowl, which was no fault to him. Football is a team sport, so putting up those crazy numbers and not winning the big one can't really be blamed on the QB. That's how QB's are judged though, by the amount of rings.

Brett Favre has one. Aaron Rodgers has one and a whole career ahead of him. Aaron officially stepped out from Favre's shadow, though many would say he already owned Green Bay's heart before the ring. That it came in a season that saw Favre, the traitor's, demise can only make it that much sweeter for fans. Rodgers likely owes Favre a debt of gratitude for what he learned as his backup. Just as Steve Young waited patiently for Joe Montana to retire/flee to Kansas City, Rodgers was patient. And that patience paid off with a trip to Disney World.

Roethlisberger's career was immediately validated with two Super Bowl wins before he turned 27. Then, he made questionable decisions resulting in two rape accusations and a four game suspension. Apparently, his teammates did not come to his defense when Roger Goodell questioned them and Steelers fans were OK with getting rid of him before the season. Big Ben's career looked as if it could be done before he could prove himself worthy of a yellow jacket.

Then he came back from suspension and led the Steelers to a division title and a first round bye. He took the Steelers to their 3rd Super Bowl since 2005. The first Super Bowl Ben starred in was won in spite of him, the second was won because of him and this one was lost because of him. He did not play well in this matchup, throwing a couple interceptions and failing to produce a game winning drive as he did against the Cardinals.

This was his chance to truly validate his career. He will likely be a Hall of Famer assuming he plays out his career with the numbers he's been averaging and makes the playoffs consistently. He's already the owner of two rings and that is huge in the voters' eyes. He still needs to do a lot of work to change the perception of many, that he may be a rapist.

Big Ben will have learned that athletes are now judged as guilty until proven innocent. And even if 'proven' innocent, the public perception doesn't change. Kobe is still viewed by many as a rapist, though that number is dwindling with him continuing to win rings. Vick is still a dog fighter, Big Ben is still a Big Rapist. Any time an athlete is connected to drugs, they're a performance enhancer regardless if that is never proven.

Though Michael Vick did not win a championship this season, he has won over some people to his side both with his play on the field and work off. He has truly been an upstanding citizen and his whole situation can actually be turned into good as the spotlight on dog fighting is brighter than ever due to his conviction. Big Ben on the other hand seemed to do only what was required by Goodell and deflects any question about what occurred. Both had winning seasons, but there are too many questions left unanswered with Big Ben's situation. What exactly happened on those nights? Where are those girls now and why haven't they released memoirs or talked to TMZ?

For most people, a player's indiscretions are absolved as the player continues on with their life and works to a championship. It happens all of the time and it has with Big Ben. As much as I don't agree with it, the city of Pittsburgh and mostly every fan of the Steel Curtain, has allowed Big Ben to atone for his mistakes. Providing he continues his career as a "upstanding Christian" as he claims to be currently, Ben will be remembered more for his playing ability than his off the field because "Winning is Everything".