Rizzo: Roethlisberger Should Donate 2010 Salary to Help Women

by Michael Rizzo

The Steelers start training camp today and I recommend that Big Ben, in a good will gesture, donate his entire 2010 salary to women’s groups, particularity women who are victims of sexual or physical abuse. With his suspension the NFL will take $1.9m and he’ll make $5.8m the rest of the season. He could easily give up the 5.8m and ask the league to donate their 1.9m. I estimate Ben made at least $24 million from his rookie contact. He was given a $25m signing bonus on his 2008 contract, which covers 8 years and pays out $102 million. Even if you take 50% for taxes, I believe he has pocketed at least $30m, with $38m still left on his contact after this season. Point being with or without this year’s salary Ben will live in luxury for the rest of his life. He could use this opportunity to help people.