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Georgia police say they don't need DNA sample from Roethlisberger

NFL.com Wire Reports

Ben Roethlisberger will not be required to give a DNA sample to Georgia authorities who are investigating a sexual-assault allegation leveled at the Steelers quarterback, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Tuesday.

Roethlisberger's attorney, Ed Garland, offered to provide a DNA sample from the quarterback, Georgia Bureau of Investigations officials confirmed to the Tribune-Review. However, they told Garland they didn't need it.

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Garland told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that officials withdrew the request a week ago. He declined to comment on why.

"Based on everything that I know and our own investigation, I believe that no charges should be filed in this case," Garland told the Tribune-Review.

A 20-year-old female college student has accused Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her in a Milledgeville, Ga., nightclub in the early hours of March 5.

Roethlisberger also is facing a lawsuit in Nevada after a woman accused him of raping her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. Roethlisberger also denies that allegation and has sued for counter-damages.

Roethlisberger hasn't been charged in either case, although the most recent accusation is still under investigation by the GBI.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday that he plans to meet with Roethlisberger about the quarterback's off-the-field problems.

"We take this issue very seriously," Goodell said at the NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. "I am concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position.

"I spoke with the Steelers and (team president) Art Rooney about it and, at some point, I will be meeting with Ben at the appropriate time."

Rooney has said the Steelers are "in a situation we're going to let this investigation play out and then go from there."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he has remained in regular contact with Roethlisberger since the incident took place. Three days earlier, Tomlin said he was "highly concerned for our franchise and for Ben personally."

"My concerns are many, but I think at this time it's kind of appropriate to watch these things and let these things run their course," Tomlin said Saturday. "I think it would be inappropriate for me to have strong feelings one way or another with the investigation being ongoing and so forth. Like everyone else, you watch these things unfold."

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