Report: GBI withdraws request for Roethlisberger DNA

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

GBI spokesman John Bankhead would not confirm a report claiming the agency withdrew its request for a DNA sample from Ben Roethlisberger, accused of sexually assaulting a Milledgeville college student.

ESPN, quoting "a source familiar with the investigation," offered no context as to why the request was withdrawn. Roethlisberger's attorneys, who have said little during the course of the investigation, could not be reached for comment.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he's been in daily contact with Roethlisberger, who called his coach soon after learning he had been accused of assault on the morning of March 5.

"The sun wasn't up, but it technically wasn't the middle of the night," Tomlin told reporters assembled at the NFL meetings in Orlando.

Roethlisberger is handling the controversy "about what you'd expect," Tomlin said.

"I've had pretty fluid daily contact with him really like I always do," he said, adding that the quarterback has remained in Pittsburgh since the investigation began. "Of course, these are a different set of circumstances."

Milledgeville police and GBI agents hope to speak with the 28-year-old Ohio native but so far Roethlisberger's attorneys have refused a second interview.

"Really, it doesn't serve me, it doesn't serve the organization, it doesn't serve Ben for me to continue to add comments at this point," Tomlin said. "We've been pretty clear from [team president] Art Rooney II on down about where we are at this point. As the investigation continues to develop, as things change, we'll react appropriately. ... I really have nothing to add for the simple reason that nothing has changed in terms of the investigation. We're in a wait-and-see mode like everyone else. We'll continue to do that. By no means is it comfortable, but such is life."

Roethlisberger's attorneys have maintained his innocence, and the quarterback also has denied sexually assaulting a Nevada woman who filed a civil suit against the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback in 2009.