Roethlisberger hurt in motorcycle crash

Another:

Big Ben Listed As 'Serious But Stable'

Edited: It's spelled "Roethsliberger." R-o-e-t-h....

[ June 12, 2006, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

Not wearing a helmet.

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports that early indications are the injuries are not life-threatening.

In the report, he wasn't wearing a helmet. I hope it was worth the freedom. He was bleeding heavily from his head. Let's hope he doesn't have any long-term damage, not to mention how this will impact him for the upcoming season.

Instead of waging politcal battles, the state and federal governments should consider passing a helmet law if there isn't one already. Make it mandatory and NOT voluntary. Anyone who is caught without one and not injured, should be fined, and ordered to community service working with those who have had brain injuries from carelessness. Maybe that will shock them into wearing a helmet from now on.

Of course, my thoughts go out to Ben, the entire Roethlisberger family, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Helmets were mandatory in PA until 2003.

Along with failed property tax reform and casino gambling, you can chalk up repeal of mandatory helmet laws as among the high points of your state legislature and Governor Fast Eddy Rendell.

[ June 12, 2006, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: PennState4Ever ]

I also would like to express my concerns for Ben his family, and the Steeler organization. I hope that he is not seriously hurt, and that this may wake him up to the dangers of motorcycles, especially if not wearing a helemt. As I recall this situation arose last year when the press reported that Ben had been riding without a helmet, I also recall that Coach Cowher was less than pleased with his young quaterback for making such a stupid decision.

In regards to falconprides remarks about helmet laws I agree. But the state of PA in its wisdom passed a mandatory seat belt law and then later repealled a mandatory helmet law that had been in effect for years, makes absolutely no sense to me...

I think Pennsylvania is more notorious than most states for passing (or not passing) laws that absolutely bewilder most logical adults. They say we're ten years behind the rest of the country. How a smoking ban would harm people uttely defies logic. And of course, don't get me started on the gay marriage issue....

I think this thread is in danger of being moved to the "Politics and Religion" forum .

I really hope Ben makes it through the surgery and then makes it through all of the helmet-less bashing he's going to receive.

Let me start.

What the hell is a multi-million dollar, Super Bowl winning quarterback doing riding without a helmet? How is that not a breach of contract with the Steelers?

I don't agree there should be a helmet law but I can't imagine anyone riding a motorcycle and not wearing one. I don't care how skilled you are; there are idiots, idiots with cars, cars that are much bigger than motorcycles.

If you don't wear a helmet you could get seriously hurt regardless of your skill level.

[ June 12, 2006, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: Maddog ]

Isn't this America where we should be able to decide to live or not on our own? I'm all for wearing helmets when you go riding on your motorcycle but compulsory laws like that only make me wonder if this is America or we're moving towards communist Soviet Union again.

That being said, it doesn't take away the stupidity of a Super Bowl winner not wearing one. I agree with everyone else who says they're surprised that this wasn't one of the many conditions built into his contract. I think he's learned his lesson in life and he will do many PSA's attesting to the fact that he would have been much better off wearing a helmet.

I wish nothing but a speedy recovery for Ben anyhow!

Ok, update on the Big Ben Story:

According to an unconfirmed , yet reliable source, Ben's jaw has been crushed. The MRI has not been done yet, so there's no way of knowing exactly how much damage has been done. Do not ask me to reveal the source, as I am unable to do so. Thanks....

An ESPN interview with Benji from last year.

...the safest rider I can be.

An Excerpt;

ESPN: What has (Steelers head coach) Bill Cowher said with respect to riding a motorcycle?

Roethlisberger: People blew that out of proportion, what we talked about.

ESPN: What was it?

Roethlisberger: We talked in camp. We were just standing there, he asked me about how I rode, who I rode with, am I safe, and I told him exactly what I told you. I don't ride sportbikes. I ride harleys and choppers and I ride in a group, and we point out potholes as we go by so other people will know ... he asked me about wearing helmet, and I said I don't wear a helmet, and he goes just be careful. He never told me not to ride. He never told me to wear a helmet. Then people said that I just denied everything he said. He didn't say anything like that. He just told me be careful and use my head.

Well he did use his head; As landing gear.

My Lord is this boy gonna have to deal with a lot of crap when he gets outta surgery.

[ June 12, 2006, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: Maddog ]

my thoughts and prayers to ben and his family. get well soon.

[ June 12, 2006, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: gomets29 ]

According to the current version of the PP-G article Roethlisberger in surgery after serious motorcycle crash, "Police confirmed Roethlisberger, 24, was not wearing a helmet as he operated his 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa cycle."

A Hyabusa is one of those stupefying fast sportbikes that can easily hit 160 mph in showroom stock condition. I have a review in a magazine somewhere, but you can find one online.

Just plain dumb not wearing a helmet. I mean, really.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article says:

I'm watching a show on Comcast Sportsnet and the host said that this paper reported that the knee injuries are "severe" but the online article does not include this word, so I don't know how reliable this is.

The ESPN Bottom Line on-screen crawl says he suffered "severe knee injuries" as well.

[ June 12, 2006, 03:07 PM: Message edited by: FireCharlieManuelNow ]

I am from Pittsburgh. The reports of severe knee injuries are from a local police report and not a medical report. From all indications, his knees were scraped pretty badly in the accident. Having said that, word on local radio is that the reporting of severe knee injuries may be overstated at this time. As of the signing off of the local news at 6:59 pm, Ben was still in surgery for his jaw.

The Pgh P-G is reporting that the mood at Steelers headquarters is "Reserved Relief." ESPN's Clayton is reporting that the Ben dodged a major bullet.

When you see the impact that his body or head made on the windshield of the car, it is a miracle that the conversation can be this positive. As a die-hard Steeler fan, there will be plenty of time to debate the wisdom of the decisions of a 23 year old. I just pray for him and his family.

Dumb, Dumb, Dumb is all I can say on the part of Roethlisberger and the Steelers. When someone get a multimillion dollar contract, it usually comes with a series of restrictions. How the Steelers were talked out of this I'll never know. At the very least they could have required that he wear a helmet while riding.

[ June 12, 2006, 07:51 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]

I recently saw what a bicyclist did to a windshield

oh my god

it wasn't pretty-it looked like someone took a hammer to the windshield and started beating on it

Don't be so sure that Pittsburgh can't get out of paying him. There is a clause in all players contracts that prohibits them from engaging in life threatening activites. Since Rothlisberger violated that clause (he was warned repeatedly, both orally and writtem, to stop riding his bike without a helmet), I think the Steelers are within their rights to refuse to pay him. The problem is that they are caught in a catch 22. If they refuse to pay him, they will appear callous and uncaring; rubbing salt in the wound of someone who was largely responsible for winning them a championship, but if they pay him, they lose money because they get nothing in return. Tough choices.

I like Big Ben, and wish him a speedy recovery. Like the Bolts and Titans, Pittsburgh has no real backup quarterback either. My guess is he'll miss the entire training camp, maybe even some of the early games.

[ June 12, 2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

Helmets are required here in Wash. State, but they are not in neighboring Idaho. Having said that, this Seahawks fan wishes Ben a speedy and full recovery...get well quickly Ben.

It just baffles me that, even after Kellen Winslow & Jamie Henderson, teams do not demand clauses in players' contracts that explicitly forbid certain activities, like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Instead, most NFL contracts use the more vaguely worded admonition against any activity that "may invplve significant risk of personal injury."

Boilerplate language in players' contracts in other sports--including the NHL--is more specific, banning motorcyle riding.

~Adam

You DO know who Ben's agent is, right?

I will never quite understand how these guys can have millions of dollars just within reach and all they have to do to get it is just play their game and take care of themselves, i.e. no guns, no drugs and no risky activites. And I know thrill-based activities are so appealing at that age, but there is SO much at stake I wonder if these guys ever consider that before doing these risk-laden (or stupid) activities.

I do wish him a speedy recovery as well. I hope the price he pays for the foolishness of youth is not too high.

I just finally saw the pictures. I think it's a testament to his size and durability that he's still alive.

That is one tough guy. Get better Benji.

Saw lots of comments in an article I just read this morning, that went along the lines of " will wear a helmet on the field, but not on a motorcycle." frown