Source: Roethlisberger says consensual

PITTSBURGH, March 10 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told police he had consensual sexual contact with a woman who has accused him of assault, sources say.

KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, quoted unnamed sources saying that on the night of the alleged assault of a 20-year-old Georgia college student at a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga., Roethlisberger conceded to police that he did have contact with the woman, but that it was consensual and not consummated.

Roethlisberger reportedly told police the woman slipped and fell, injuring her head. The alleged victim immediately went to a local hospital after the incident claiming she had been sexually assaulted, the sources said.

KDKA reported that Georgia authorities are seeking a DNA sample from the Steelers signal-caller, presumably to match with samples from the woman.

Pittsburgh legal analyst Bob Del Greco told the broadcaster that the seeking of DNA evidence in conjunction with a head injury could present evidence of a sexual attack.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Roethlisberger said a team of investigators will be looking into allegations of sexual assault against the Pittsburgh Steelers star.

Attorney Edward T.M. Garland said his law firm hired the investigate team to collect information regarding the allegations, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday.

"The fans and the people that believe in him should be patient. ... The truth will come out," Garland said Tuesday of his client.