Colon not a witness to alleged assault

Mar 11, 2010 - 12:08 AM NEW YORK (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Willie Colon was with teammate Ben Roethlisberger on the night the quarterback was accused of sexual assault in a Georgia club, but did not witness anything, Colon's agent said Wednesday.

Colon was at the Capital City nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga., last Friday, for a birthday party for Roethlisberger. But Joe Linta, Colon's agent, said in a telephone interview that Colon was on the dance floor and not close by when Roethlisberger allegedly sexually assaulted a 20-year-old college student.

"Willie, although he was in the building, had no knowledge of the incident and his name should not be brought up about this incident again," Linta said. "The first knowledge he had was when he was stopped when leaving the place to be asked some questions."

Colon was part of a group of Roethlisberger's friends who went to Milledgeville to celebrate the quarterback's 28th birthday.

Colon's attendance at the party was first reported by the New York Daily News.

Authorities are still investigating the matter and Roethlisberger has not been charged. He is cooperating with authorities and Milledgeville police have said they expect to interview Roethlisberger in the next several days. They plan to take a DNA sample from him.

Roethlisberger, who owns a home about 30 miles north of Milledgeville on Lake Oconee, is also being sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a hotel-casino in Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he strongly denies. It is a civil matter as no criminal charges were filed.