Attorneys for the woman who accuses Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault said that she did the right thing by going to police and asked for privacy in a statement Tuesday.
Atlanta-based Attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert said in the statement released to several media outlets that woman is assisting police. They said they were hired to advise the woman and her family while police investigate the allegations.
The 20-year-old told police that the two-time Super Bowl winner, who had been out barhopping with friends, assaulted her early Friday at a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga. Roethlisberger has not been charged.
"Their daughter has done the right thing and reported this matter to the police," reads the statement released by the attorneys' Atlanta law firm, Parks, Chesin & Walbert. "She has been, and will be, available to the authorities to assist them in the criminal investigation. While the matter is under investigation, we ask you to respect her privacy, keep her name out of the press and allow the family space and time to heal."
Ed Garland, an attorney for Roethlisberger, has said the quarterback is innocent of any crime.
VICK AWARD PROTESTED: Dozens of protesters lined up outside a banquet hall where Michael Vick said he was "very humbled" to be honored as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.
The award is presented to players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Each NFL team selects a recipient, and most of the winners were on hand for the gala event Tuesday night.
Vick was picked as the Philadelphia Eagles' representative by a unanimous vote of his teammates. Once a star quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was convicted in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison.
This was the first award Vick has received since being reinstated by the NFL in September 2009.
BENGALS: Terrell Owens tweeted on Tuesday that he was on his way to Cincinnati to meet with team officials to see if the Bengals are interested in adding him to their stalled-out passing game.
It's unclear whether they have much interest in Owens, whose production declined each of the past two seasons with Dallas and Buffalo.
BROWNS: Quarterback Derek Anderson 's uneven five-year stint with Cleveland is over.
The team released the one-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tuesday, one day after the Browns acquired backup Seneca Wallace in a trade from Seattle.
Anderson made the Pro Bowl in 2007 when he threw 29 touchdown passes and led the club to a 10-6 record but he has been in a tailspin ever since.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh made a pair of surprise moves by re-signing safety Ryan Clark and bringing back wide receiver Antwaan Randle El on Tuesday -- a day after signing two backups who excel on special teams, safety Will Allen from the Buccaneers and wide receiver Arnaz Battle from the 49ers.
There's more, too: They're also bringing in offensive tackle Jonathan Scott , who played the past two seasons in Buffalo under new Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler.
GIANTS: After six years backing up quarterback Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi will get a chance to do the same for Peyton's brother Eli .
New York signed Sorgi to a one-year deal. Terms were not disclosed.
DOLPHINS: Nose tackle Jason Ferguson has been re-signed by Miami, even though he faces a suspension for the first eight games of this season.
The Dolphins announced the signing in a news release that made no reference to Ferguson's suspension last week for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
PATRIOTS: New England kept another free agent from leaving, re-signing cornerback Leigh Bodden to a four-year deal.
COURTS: Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams testified Tuesday that he was under pressure to lose weight and earn a $400,000 bonus when he took a weight-loss supplement two years ago -- a supplement he didn't know contained a substance banned by the NFL.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
