K-State QB Roberson accused of sexual assault, might miss bowl GAME

CBS Sportsline ^ | 1/1/2004 | SportsLine.com wire reports

[Therapist]

PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. -- Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson was accused Thursday of sexually assaulting a woman at the team hotel, leaving his start in the Fiesta Bowl in question.

Roberson told police he had consensual sex with the 22-year-old woman, who is a Kansas State alumna and acquaintance of the quarterback, Paradise Valley police Lt. Ron Warner said.

Neither the woman nor Roberson were staying in the room where they had sex at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Warner said.

Kansas State athletic director Tim Weiser said it would be up to coach Bill Snyder whether Roberson, the Wildcats' career total-offense record holder, would play Friday night against Ohio State. Freshman Dylan Meier is the backup quarterback.

"I've know coach Snyder for several years now and I know he'll do the right thing," Weiser said.

"We are dealing with partial information. To identify an individual, we think, is unfair. But we respect the legal system and the decision they made."

Ell Roberson's playing status for the Fiesta Bowl will be decided by coach Bill Snyder.

AP) The woman told police she was assaulted between 3-3:30 a.m. The investigation began when the hotel's security office called police at 4:30 a.m. The players had an 11 p.m. curfew on Wednesday.

Medical tests were conducted but results were not expected until next week, Warner said.

A report will be submitted to the Maricopa County attorney's office to determine if there is sufficient evidence to file charges, Warner said.

Roberson was not with Kansas State players at a pep rally Thursday afternoon.

The senior from Baytown, Texas, needs 67 yards to become the third player in NCAA Division I history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 in a season.

[Therapist]

Whether there was rape or not, Roberson was 'up' at 3:30 in the morning during bowl preparation week. Do you think that he should play or not? What does this say about the Knasas State program if he plays?

[newgeezer]

What a couple of pigs.

[babaloo]

This is so wrong. I would venture that after a thorough investigation by the coach lasting all of 30 seconds, Roberson will be playing. These star athletes that think the world revolves around them disgust me. Don't they owe their teammates their best effort?

[Paleo Conservative]

Looks like Roberson is ready to play in the NFL.

[jnarcus]

This maroon rolled in around 4:30AM because he is sooooo stupid that he cannot tell time I recommend that he not be allowed to play in what should have been the most important game of his life...I'll put money on it that he was dead drunk too...No officer really she wanted it...The woman reported immediately...I consider this guy scum

[Bikers4Bush]

If I were a K State fan I would not want him to play.

If the same things happened to OSU I'd have to say sit the QB.

[Ciexyz]

What a way to destroy the opposition team before the big game.

[r9etb]

Whether there was rape or not, Roberson was 'up' at 3:30 in the morning during bowl preparation week.

Good point -- he should be benched for a curfew violation, if nothing else. Even leaving aside the charges themselves (which may or may not be valid), he's clearly not looking out for the team's interests.

[Therapist]

Reaction of K-State fans:

http://mb1.theinsiders.com/fkansasstatefrm3.showMessage?topicID=4103.topic

[mountaineer]

Kansas State athletic director Tim Weiser said it would be up to coach Bill Snyder whether Roberson ... would play Friday night against Ohio State. .... "I've know coach Snyder for several years now and I know he'll do the right thing," Weiser said.

Look up "spineless" in the dictionary - I'll bet Tim Weiser's photo is there.

[MineralMan]

"They should not allow women around athletes hotel rooms, locker room doors or anywhere else the team members congregate. If these women want to hang around the hotel rooms of athletes, they should expect what can happen. I think they are all gold diggers and whores."

I see. So the player isn't responsible for his own actions? Is that what you're saying? You think he should play, even if he sexually assaulted this woman because it's her fault? Wow!

[jimfree]

Need to do something about curfew. I was a distance athlete and not in team sports. But we always made sure that we got plenty of sleep the night before the night before. That always did more for physical and mental sharpness than the night before alone could. So he broke curfew on what is to me the most important early night. Now, with the game sked for 8:00 p.m. EST he might have more time to rest.

[babaloo]

You know, I was going to respond to Jack Ryan the same way you did but I figured he was just baiting us and snickering. The sad thing is that there are people who think there are certain folk who do not need to be responsible for their own actions. Mr. Ryan seems to be giving too much power to women.

[Therapist]

Sounds like there has been so much porking that it must be a pork barrel.

[Sunshine Sister]

Kansas State ain't no Nebraska. Having said that, this is his last football game. Making him sit out the whole game is the only punishment that can be laid on him. I think the his worst punishment should be coming from within. He let his team down on the day of their biggest game. Stupid man.

[af_vet_1981]

Looks like Roberson is ready to play in the NFL NBA.

[af_vet_1981]

I think the his worst punishment should be coming from within.

He has prison to consider.