Roethlisberger 'happy' with DA's decision not to prosecute

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is "happy" to put sexual assault allegations in Georgia behind him and knows he must work to regain the trust of his teammates and the team's large fan base.

Roethlisberger read a statement for 74 seconds last night, but did not take questions from reporters. He said Georgia prosecutors reached the right conclusion by deciding not to charge him in the case in which a 20-year old college student accused him of sexually assaulting her early March 5 at the Capital City nightclub, where he was drinking with friends shortly after his 28th birthday.

"I'd like to begin by expressing gratitude to the thorough investigation process in Georgia," Roethlisberger said. "The prosecutor's decision not to bring charges, I know without a doubt, is the right conclusion . . . I'm happy to put this behind me and move forward."

Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright said the woman's accusations could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and her lawyer said in a letter that she did not want to press charges.

* Jason Campbell has signed his $3.1 million tender with the Washington Redskins, taking him off the market as a restricted free agent while leaving open the possibility of a trade. Campbell was given permission to explore a trade after Donovan McNabb was acquired from Eagles last week. Campbell couldn't find a team that would make a suitable offer to him as a restricted free agent, so he signed the tender.

* Newly acquired Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes was suspended without pay by the NFL for the first four regular-season games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The league announced the suspension a day after the Jets acquired the talented but troubled Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round pick in this month's draft.

Holmes is also facing a lawsuit in Florida from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye, in an Orlando nightclub.

* Former NFL linebacker Lee Woodall is accused of using a $400,000 minority-business loan from a Pennsylvania state agency to finance lavish spending on trips, cars and jewelry.

The state attorney general's office said Woodall obtained the loan from the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority to open a Chester County fitness facility in May 2005. He's charged with theft. Woodall, who played for West Chester University, spent eight seasons in the NFL.

* Seahawks starting linebacker Leroy Hill was arrested for investigation of domestic violence in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah over the weekend, just days after reaching a plea deal on a marijuana charge in Georgia.

According to a release from Issaquah police, officers responded to a complaint of a domestic dispute late Saturday night at the Hill residence. Police said Hill's girlfriend had obvious marks and injuries indicating an assault had occurred and she alleged Hill had caused these injuries. He was taken into custody without incident, posted bail and was released.

* Missouri billionaire Stan Kroenke has decided to exercise his matching rights and try to purchase the remaining 60 percent share of the St. Louis Rams.

Illinois businessman Shahid Khan reached agreement with owners Chip Rosenbloom and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez on Feb. 11 to buy the team, and Kroenke had 60 days to decide whether to keep his 40 percent share, sell it, or exercise his right to buy the team outright.

* A Pittsburgh judge has dismissed disorderly conduct and public drunkenness charges against Steelers kicker Jeff Reed. Reed had been charged after an October 2009 confrontation with police outside of a bar. Judge Richard King dropped two charges against Reed in March and told Reed he would also dismiss the remaining two charges if Reed completed community service.

* The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with Chris Simms, bringing back a quarterback they had in 2008. The move makes Simms the third quarterback on the roster with Vince Young and Kerry Collins.