Group uses Roethlisberger as poster boy for moral lesson

An organization that works to prevent sex crimes is encouraging high schools to use Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's off-field problems as a lesson.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape mailed informational packets Friday to athletic directors in each of the state's 500 school districts with talking points about off-field leadership and how personal actions can reflect on a team. The packet discusses the prevalence of sex crimes and the importance of standing up to people who mistreat others.

Legal Director Diane Moyer said the start of football season coincided with the decision to send out the packets.

Several athletic directors said they would pass along the information to coaches.

"As a coach, I think anytime there's an example of a high-profile athlete who has positively or negatively done things, we try to use it so the kids can associate it with their own actions and responsibilities," said Fox Chapel Area High School football coach Bryan Deal, who talked to his players about Roethlisberger.

Christian Brumbaugh, 17, quarterback for the South Fayette Lions, said his coach didn't discuss Roethlisberger's problems but often talks about being responsible.

"You have to do the right thing when kids look up to you," Brumbaugh said.

Georgia officials declined to prosecute Roethlisberger, 28, for the alleged assault on a 20-year-old college student. The quarterback is battling a civil suit in Nevada that claims he sexually assaulted a woman in a Lake Tahoe resort in 2008.

"So many (young athletes) may have seen Ben Roethlisberger as a hero, so that gets their attention because it's a real-life story that they can relate to," said coalition Executive Director Delilah Rumburg.

A Steelers spokesman declined to comment.

Scott Heinauer, athletic director at Mars Area School District, said Roethlisberger's conduct doesn't need to be discussed in a high school setting.

"We talk about what their role is and how they should act, but I don't talk about that incident or any incidents whatsoever," he said.

Coaches traditionally try to instill good values in players, said Vince Sortino, Baldwin-Whitehall's athletic director.

"We make a strong attempt to reach out to student-athletes to let them know what's acceptable and what's not," he said.