Tired of tracking Ben Affleck and Jen Garner? Crushed by the split between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt? It might be time for you to follow the rumors and reports swirling around Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and professional golfer Natalie Gulbis.
Tuesday, Jan. 4
Las Vegas Review-Journal gossip columnist Norm Clarke reports “a romance has bloomed” between the two and that it started about five weeks ago.
Wednesday, Jan. 5
Gulbis’ publicist tells espn.com that Gulbis has been talking to Roethlisberger for about five weeks and said Gulbis would likely be in Pittsburgh this weekend to visit. And if she doesn’t go, espn.com reported, she “definitely” would be there next weekend. Also on this day, Roethlisberger is named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year while Gulbis’ Web site reports she’s in Hawaii for an Adidas photo shoot.
Friday, Jan. 6
Gulbis turns 22.
Saturday
Roethlisberger is quoted in several newspapers saying he has never met Gulbis. “I don’t know where it all came from,” he said. “I talked to her once on the phone but there’s nothing there.” Roethlisberger couldn’t recall why they talked, but thought it concerned another female golfer who is a client of his agent and a friend of Gulbis’.
The Journal-Review’s Clarke chronicles the last week of reports and writes that Gulbis could not be reached for comment. “Smoke rings, however, could be seen over her home,” Clarke wrote.
– – –
The vitals
According to the bios on Gulbis’ Web site (nataliegulbis.com) and Roethlisberger’s Web site (br-7.com), they have some things in common.
Key word: “Some.”
Ben Roethlisberger
Age 23
Residence Pittsburgh
School Miami of Ohio
Favorite food Parents’ “flank steak and cheezy potatoes.”
Favorite movies
“Gladiator,” “Bad Boys I and II,”
“Barbershop I and II”
Favorite athletes teams Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Michael Jordan
Favorite TV show “SportsCenter”
Pets “Dogs … NO CATS.”
Natalie Gulbis
Age 22
Residence Las Vegas
School Arizona
Favorite food “Mexican”
Favorite movies
“Beaches,” “anything with Brad Pitt”
Favorite athletes, teams Sacramento Kings, Oakland A’s, San Francisco 49ers
Favorite TV show “Friends”
Pets Cat named “Casper”
———-
Edited by the sports staff of RedEye
