Empty the Bench

We’re just not ready to accept it. An NFL player visits a strip club and manages to make headlines without making it rain? Been there, done that, next. Everyone knows that with all the competition out there from the Ron Mexicos and Pacman Jones of the world, simply forcing your way into a stripper’s dressing room, handgun gently tucked into your waistband, and “groping” her doesn’t hold a candle to the Godfather of Dogfighting or, well, all that stuff Pacman Jones did/does/will do. But then, this is a member of the Detroit Lions we’re talking about, so of course he didn’t go the extra mile to come out a winner.

According to a report in today’s Detroit News, 2005 Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is being accused of committing a no-no last week during a fun-filled visit to ye olde Secret City Players Den in Detroit. The gropy details:

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is being investigated for sexual assault after a stripper accused him of entering her dressing room and forcibly groping her last week, authorities confirmed Monday.

The woman told police Rogers had a gun in his waistband, but did not say he pointed it at her, police said. Rogers had been drinking with friends, but it is unclear whether any teammates were with him, police said. A firearm could pose several legal problems for Rogers. Guns are not permitted in bars in Michigan.

Also, depending on what is said and done, having a gun while committing another felony, such as a sexual assault, can lead to a felony firearm charge. That crime carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence that must be served in its entirety and cannot be served with any other sentence.

Of course, these accusations are just that at this point–unproven accusations. A full investigation is underway, and the anchor of Detroit’s “defense” could very well prove to be an innocent bystander in the whole ruckus. Maybe this unnamed woman, aware she was in the company of a well-paid professional athlete, begged and pleaded with Rogers to make it rain on her. Then after he politely refused–while sipping on a club soda and watching a Cosby Show rerun on the bar TV–she fabricated this whole thing out of spite.