Is Big Ben role model material?

With the Steelers set to play the Packers this Sunday in Super Bowl XLV, Ben Roethlisberger's shortcomings off the field are once again in the nation's spotlight.  Teammates and those close to Ben have said that he has "changed" and "matured" since the alleged sexual assault that took place 11 months ago, but is he worthy of our admiration? 

 Andrew Sharp's article "Ben Roethlisberger, Sexual Assault, And The Mixed Messages Of Super Bowl XLV" on SB Nation (http://www.sbnation.com/2011-super-bowl/2011/2/4/1974253/ben-roethlisberger-sexual-assault-superbowl-xlv) lays out a compelling case that because the alleged assault was never fully investigated (and what was investigated was handled poorly), we'll never know exactly how Roethlisberger should be viewed.  Michael Vick was charged, plead guilty and served time in prison.  He has paid his debt to society and is now free to pursue a living as he knows how.  That is the major difference between the two starting QBs from Pennsylvania.

Big Ben is admired for his athletic performance on the field, but his desire to be looked at as a role model needs to be tempered.  He is 28 years old, and to date his track record off the field is spotty at best (SI, The Hangover:  Roethlisberger, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1169185/1/index.htm).  It is well within the realm of possibility that Roethlisberger will be a starting NFL QB for the next 5-7 (or more) years, but if he wants to aspire to role model status, he'll have to stay out of trouble for at least that long.  Is it possible that he can settle down and create a new image for himself, yes, but although people say they can forgive someone for their transgressions, they never truly forget.  Also, the internet is just too big to allow people to just forget.  (I know that it's cold in Pittsburgh, but Big Ben's beard is a classic psychological example of a person putting up a barrier between him and everyone else.  He's still not fully comfortable.)

Neither Big Ben, nor many athletes are good role models.  I wish this wasn't the case, but this is the prevailing perception in society.  Many players on field exploits and off field training and preparation should be admired, but until we stop seeing players acting like they are above the law, they shouldn't be considered pure role models.