Big Ben injured in motorcycle accident ...

[TheBimbo]

Big Ben injured in motorcycle accident ...



http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5687558?GT1=8297



Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was badly injured in a motorcycle crash Monday morning and set for surgery.

Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition in an operating room, said Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital. Jones spoke before going into surgery.
"He was alert and conscious," said Ernie Roman, shift commander for the Allegheny County emergency service.

Steelers Dave Lockett, outside Mercy Hospital, confirmed the accident but did not provide additional details. There was no word on Roethlisberger's condition.


Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle crash Monday. (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)

The crash happened at an intersection at the edge of downtown.

A silver Chrysler New Yorker with damage to the front passenger fender was removed and Roethlisberger's bike was loaded onto a flatbed truck. Police were detouring traffic around the crash scene as onlookers and media gathered.

In only his second year in the NFL, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to the Super Bowl championship last season.

Calls to Roethlisberger's agent, Leigh Steinberg, were not immediately returned.

The 24-year-old Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers not to wear a helmet when riding his motorcycle. He has pointed out Pennsylvania's 35-year-old state law requiring helmets to be worn was amended to make helmets optional.

In May 2005, Steelers coach Bill Cowher lectured Roethlisberger on the dangers of riding without a helmet.

"He talked about being a risk-taker and I'm not really a risk-taker. I'm pretty conservative and laid back, but the big thing is to just be careful," Roethlisberger said at the time. "I'll just continue to be careful. I told him we don't ever ride alone, we always ride in a group of people, and I think it makes it even more safe."

In May 2005, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. tore knee ligaments in a motorcycle accident and was lost for the season.

Roethlisberger continued to ride after Winslow's accident and that angered Terry Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories during the 1970s.

Visiting the Steelers' training camp last summer, Bradshaw remarked: "Ride it when you retire."



Christy...

[oz]

I thought he would be a little smarter than that. Oh well...

[tkeracer619]

shame...... who is gonna be thier next qb.....

[asphaltpilot]

Call me a bad guy, but I don't feel sorry for him.

Stupid Hurts. Wear your gear!

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

well...he wasn't riding a crotch-rocket though

[Minuteman]

I feel bad for the guy and hope he makes a full recovery. But... he shoulda been wearing his gear. Life is hard... it's even harder when you're stupid.

[Misfit6669]

Stupid head versus strong windshield.

Windshield wins and head ends up stupider.

[asphaltpilot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7545769#post7545769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
well...he wasn't riding a crotch-rocket though yeah, it was a sportbike. It's kind of hard to tell which one though. Maybe a SV or Busa?? Looks like a 180 Bridgestone on the rear so prob not a Busa.
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/football/nfl/06/12/bc.fbn.apnewsalert.ap/p1_ben_motorcycle_ap.jpg

[TheBimbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7545769#post7545769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
well...he wasn't riding a crotch-rocket though


Hmmm, the bike they showed on the back of that flatbed looked like one to me...


Christy...

Heres more on it... Shows a good photo of the bike...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/06/12/bc.fbn.apnewsalert.ap/index.html?cnn=yes


PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has said he dislikes wearing a motorcycle helmet, was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash and taken to a hospital Monday.

Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital, said Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition in an operating room Monday afternoon. Roethlisberger was undergoing surgery, but Jones would not say for what.

"He was talking to me before he left for the operating room," Jones said. "He's coherent. He's making sense. He knows what happened. He knows where he is. From that standpoint, he's very stable."

It was not immediately clear if Roethlisberger was wearing a helmet when he got into the accident at an intersection at the edge of downtown at around 11:30 a.m. A pool of blood was visible there early Monday afternoon.

Lt. Kevin Kraus, a Pittsburgh police spokesman, said police and homicide units were investigating the crash, something standard when there is an accident with critical injuries. Kraus would give no details on the extent of Roethlisberger's injuries or if anyone else was injured in the crash.

A silver Chrysler New Yorker with damage to the front passenger fender was removed and Roethlisberger's black bike was loaded onto a flatbed truck Monday afternoon.

In only his second year in the NFL, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to the Super Bowl championship last season.

Several teammates, including backup quarterback Charlie Batch, linebacker Joey Porter and safety Mike Logan, arrived at the hospital emergency room but did not comment.

Calls to Roethlisberger's agent, Leigh Steinberg, were not immediately returned.

The 24-year-old Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers not to wear a helmet when riding his motorcycle. He has pointed out Pennsylvania's state law requiring helmets to be worn was repealed in September 2003.


Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle and the car involved in the crash are towed away from the scene of the accident.
AP
In May 2005, Steelers coach Bill Cowher lectured Roethlisberger on the dangers of riding without a helmet.

"He talked about being a risk-taker and I'm not really a risk-taker. I'm pretty conservative and laid back, but the big thing is to just be careful," Roethlisberger said at the time. "I'll just continue to be careful. I told him we don't ever ride alone, we always ride in a group of people, and I think it makes it even more safe."

In May 2005, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. tore knee ligaments in a motorcycle accident and was lost for the season.

Roethlisberger continued to ride after Winslow's accident and that angered Terry Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories during the 1970s.

Visiting the Steelers' training camp last summer, Bradshaw remarked: "Ride it when you retire."

[Misfit6669]

Ok, he is an idiot.
I can see riding an Harley without a helmet, (I wouldn't) but to ride that without one???.

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

wow...he said he liked riding hogs, and that he spent like $20k on a special built one? My bad, figured he was on that.

I love rockets, but they are even more dangerous than hogs...

Ohh and misfit......'stupider'...as in we are all for reading that ;)

[Misfit6669]

I knew you would like that. Stupider is such a fitting word for pulling a Gary Buisy (sp)

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Busey( i think) LOL...good one :)

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Hey everyone gets to make their choices. Thats' why we have our freedoms. Or at least some states do. :rolleyes:

If he was out racing around, then yea he should have had a helment. But it sounds more like a noon put thru town and someone "didn't see him" and wala, an accident.

Yes I wear a helment here but that's becasue it's a law. When I went on my 2200 mile road trip earlier this year, as soon as I crossed the border into "free America" I took mine off. I did wear it at night when we had to ride in the dark.

But the rest of the time I enjoyed the wind in my hair as I rolled on down the highway. Call me stupid, call me a rebel. It's still MY CHOICE. One of the freedoms that I fought for. ;)

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Here's you an update w/ better pic's and his injurys.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13279232/

[sufunk]

If you go to the pittsburghchannel.com, there are 3 articles ffrom may of last year begging him to stop riding or at least wear a helmet.
He basically laughed at Cowher, Bradshaw, his teammates and fans and said hed do what he wanted.
What is the point of no helmet for him???? I knowsome attorneys who wont wear them because of the insane hat head it gives you and theyd look ridiculous in court. What is he worrried about? his hair?? he wears a helmet all dang day????????
Sometomes karma can be a real *****!

[joeychitwood]

Here is the bike. Can anyone identify it? I can't.

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060612/060612_benRoethlistberger_hmed_12p.rp600x350.jpg

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

no...but it looks like it used to be real nice

[masson]

It looks like a busa from what I googled.
<img src="http://www.motodiablo.com/files/gallery-pics/busa-blk-pur-lg.jpg">

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Notice it's all front end damage. Like I said, "Honest officer, he wasn't there a second ago when I looked" asthey stared straight at him and didn't see him.

I've had that happen before, lady staring straight at me. We even have eye contact. And she STILL pulled out in front of me. Luckly I was able to stop in time. Beleive me though, both parking lots of people on either side of the 6 lane road could hear me very clearly as I told the woman off. ;)

[sufunk]

If anyone would understand the need to protect your skull from blunt force trauma, wouldn't it be a football player?!?!?!?!
Is it really that big of a deal for him to wear a helmet 30 more minutes a day?

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Like I said earlier

FREEDOM OF CHOICE!

[joeychitwood]

From ESPN.com:

Pittsburgh media outlets reported that Roethlisberger was in surgery for a broken jaw. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, citing a police source, reported Roethlisberger also broke his left sinus cavity, suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost teeth and has knee injuries from hitting the pavement. A plastic surgeon has been called in, the source said.

[TheBimbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546368#post7546368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeychitwood
From ESPN.com:

Pittsburgh media outlets reported that Roethlisberger was in surgery for a broken jaw. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, citing a police source, reported Roethlisberger also broke his left sinus cavity, suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost teeth and has knee injuries from hitting the pavement. A plastic surgeon has been called in, the source said.


just about to post that same thing Joey...

Well would the helmet have prevented alot of that or not??? I'm guessing yes...

Christy...

[Misfit6669]

I think it would but then he couldn't feel the wind flowing in his hair as he was flying towards the car.:rolleye1: But as Chevy said, it was his choice. Now he and Winslow can talk about how good the 2006 season could have been.

I used to ride with the thought that I was worth 5 million if somebody would hit me. Like I had a bullseye on my back. I got lucky and nobody ever collected their prize ;)

[TheBimbo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546402#post7546402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheBimbo
just about to post that same thing Joey...

Well would the helmet have prevented alot of that or not??? I'm guessing yes...

Christy...

*** yes he had a choice and I forgot to put that in there... I agree that "choices" are great things ;) ...***

[sufunk]

Perfect example why we shouldn't have so many "freedoms".
As judges love to tell my clients, driving is a privilege not a right and we can force you to drive the way we want you to or not at all.

[joeychitwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546402#post7546402 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheBimbo
Well would the helmet have prevented alot of that or not??? Christy... Most often, an open face or half-helmet will not prevent facial and jaw injuries. Helmets primarily absorb much of the kinetic energy in a deceleration incident, preventing some of the open brain or shear injuries to the brain neurons. Closed face helmets do help prevent facial injuries, but there is some controversy whether they may make neck injuries more severe.

[sufunk]

I have a feeling it would at least have prevented the 9 inch gash in the back of his head when he hit the pavement after hitting the car.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Wonder how long he has been riding or if he took a Motorcycle Safety Course when he got the bike. :rolleyes:

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546519#post7546519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sufunk
Perfect example why we shouldn't have so many "freedoms".
As judges love to tell my clients, driving is a privilege not a right and we can force you to drive the way we want you to or not at all.

Sorry but I enjoy the "freedoms" I fought for. If I didn't want them, then I'd move to another country. :rolleyes:

[sufunk]

Helmetless riding was what you fought for?

[jgoodrich71]

I personally feel that helmet laws and seatbelt laws should be done away with. If you don't want to wear either of these, it is not for the government to decide. However, you should also not expect the government to support you should you suffer an incapacitating injury because of this.

(I hope I just didn't turn this into a political thread, that is not my intention.)

I'm a firm believer in natural selection. :D

[Misfit6669]

I'm a firm believer in natural selection. :D
That is what I used to say when Derrick Thomas died. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt and was speeding on a icy road. Real freaking smart. :lol:

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546794#post7546794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sufunk
Helmetless riding was what you fought for?

One of the many freedoms. ;)

some of them you just take for granted. ;)

That is unless you've been overseas or to a third world country and see how they live. :(

[sufunk]

Or if you see how the westboro baptist church abuses some of them. I see too many people take advantage of some of them.

[Buckeye ME]

You can have the "freedom" to not wear seat belts when your accident statistics are removed from calculating my car insurance.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546969#post7546969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sufunk
Or if you see how the westboro baptist church abuses some of them. I see too many people take advantage of some of them.

;)

[sufunk]

If i was 24, worth millions and defending super bowl champ, I would drive to work in a freaking tank just to make sure no putz on a cell phone ran into me and hurt me.

[TheBimbo]

This is what he was driving... black 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa - large, racing-style bike -

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5687558?GT1=8297
And the rest of the story...

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl championship, broke his jaw and nose in a motorcycle crash Monday in which he was not wearing a helmet.

Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition Monday afternoon, Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital said before surgery.
The player's agent, Leigh Steinberg, described the injuries to The Associated Press and said he did not know if there was further damage.

Photo Gallery...
Roethlisberger's accident



Also...


Bradshaw: 'I pray he's going to be OK'

Athletes and motorcycle accidents


"He was talking to me before he left for the operating room," Jones said. "He's coherent. He's making sense. He knows what happened. He knows where he is. From that standpoint, he's very stable."

Steelers president Art Rooney said the team was "encouraged by the early reports from the medical team" at the hospital. "I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery."

The 24-year-old Roethlisberger was without a helmet, police said. He has said he likes to ride without one, a habit that once prompted a lecture from Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher.

Roethlisberger was between radio interviews and on his black 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa - large, racing-style bike - and heading toward an intersection on the edge of downtown. A silver Chrysler New Yorker traveling in the opposite direction took a left turn and collided with the motorcycle, and Roethlisberger was thrown, police said.

The other car was driven by a 62-year-old woman, police said. They didn't immediately release her name and no charges were filed.

Witness Sandra Ford was waiting at a bus stop when she said she saw the motorcycle approach. Seconds later, she said she heard a crash, saw the motorcyclist in the air and ran toward the crash scene.

"He wasn't moving and I was afraid that he had died. ... He wasn't really speaking. He seemed dazed but he was resisting the effort to make him stay down," said Ford, who didn't realize the motorcyclist was Roethlisberger.

Police spokesman Lt. Kevin Kraus said police and homicide units were leading the investigation, a standard practice when there is an accident with critical injuries.

In only his second year in the NFL, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to the Super Bowl title in February at age 23. Training camp for next season begins at the end of July.

Several teammates, including backup quarterback Charlie Batch, linebacker Joey Porter and safety Mike Logan, arrived at the hospital emergency room but did not comment.

Some fans also gathered at the hospital, including Juanita Clark, who sells Steelers paraphernalia.


Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle is towed away after an accident Monday morning. (Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)

"I just feel like he's a family member," said her daughter, Loretta Clark.

Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers not to wear a helmet when riding his motorcycle. He has pointed out Pennsylvania's state law requiring helmets to be worn was repealed in September 2003.

In May 2005, Cowher warned him about safe riding after Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was injured in a motorcycle accident. Winslow tore knee ligaments and was lost for the season.

"He talked about being a risk-taker and I'm not really a risk-taker. I'm pretty conservative and laid back, but the big thing is to just be careful," Roethlisberger said at the time. "I'll just continue to be careful. I told him we don't ever ride alone, we always ride in a group of people, and I think it makes it even more safe."

Roethlisberger continued to ride after Winslow's accident and that angered Terry Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories during the 1970s.

Visiting the Steelers' training camp last summer, Bradshaw remarked: "Ride it when you retire."





Christy...

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Roethlisberger was between radio interviews and on his black 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa - large, racing-style bike - and heading toward an intersection on the edge of downtown. A silver Chrysler New Yorker traveling in the opposite direction took a left turn and collided with the motorcycle, and Roethlisberger was thrown, police said.

The other car was driven by a 62-year-old woman, police said. They didn't immediately release her name and no charges were filed.


Sounds like another "Honset Officer, I didn't seem him there in front of me when I turned" story. That's the biggest problem when riding, even though cagers look right at you, they never see you because your not in a big 'ol cage like them. :mad:

[Anemone]

As to the bike and how it happened:

Roethlisberger was on his black 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa — the company calls it the world’s fastest bike for legal street riding — and heading toward an intersection on the edge of downtown. A silver Chrysler New Yorker traveling in the opposite direction took a left turn and collided with the motorcycle, and Roethlisberger was thrown, police said.

From the msnbc link blownchevy gave above.

Kevin

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7547110#post7547110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
Sounds like another "Honset Officer, I didn't seem him there in front of me when I turned" story. That's the biggest problem when riding, even though cagers look right at you, they never see you because your not in a big 'ol cage like them. :mad:

And maybe it was Rothlisberger "thrill-seeking" and either zipping in and out of traffic or speeding on his "fastest street legal" bike so maybe she really didn't, or couldn't have seen him in time to prevent the accident. Have to wait and see before attacking the woman as the culprit, don't you think?

Yeah, it was his choice to be stupid. But that's why places pass laws requiring helmets - to protect stupid people.

Kevin

[sufunk]

Between this and winslow, i guarantee teams will put into contracts NO MOTORCYCLES from now on.

[otolith]

If all he suffered was a jaw/nasal fracture, he'll be playing football this fall, as long as he heals up well. He might miss some of training camp, but he'll be fine, except for whatever scarring there is from various cuts.

Seeing so many trauma patients with head/facial injuries, I would never ride on any sort of cycle without a helmet. I've seen it save people's pretty faces far too many times. :) However, in MN you don't have to wear a helmet, so I'll respect peoples' decisions. It's their body to treat however they like. I also try not to be too hard on the adolescent males. It's a miracle that we make it out of adolescence alive.

[Misfit6669]

I am also hearing that his knee's took some damage, that could cost him a year. Now he can feel the air flowing between his remaining teeth along with his hair if he continues to ride without a brain cap.

I can't remember the number or % of accidents involving cycles vs cars but most are caused by cars. Even being a rider, I have lost motorcycles in my blind spots. Bikes are simply hard to see That is why I would never have a single beer or ride without a helmet when I was on my bike.

[Flatlander]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546925#post7546925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
One of the many freedoms. ;)

some of them you just take for granted. ;)
(

Guess we forgot to add that one to our list. :lol:

[Misfit6669]

espn radio just played his interview from last year. He talks about not riding sport bikes and kinda justifies that's why he doesn't wear an helmet.

[Freed]

Yeah, giving stupid people the option of not wearing a helmet on their bikes is why my insurance keeps going up and I haven't been in a wreck nor have I had any tickets for at least 5-8 years. I like the idea someone previously mentioned that if someone is injured in a wreck from not wearing a helmet or a seatbelt, then they should have to feel the full force of the consequences with the hospital bills, etc., instead of forcing it off on everyone else in the form of higher premiums.

Why should I have to pay for their stupidity?

Look ma, no hands!
Look ma, no feet!
Look ma, no helmet!






Look ma, no teeth or brains in my head!

[Misfit6669]

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5688546_7_2.jpg

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5687838_7_2.jpg

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5688550_7_2.jpg

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5687852_7_2.jpg

[Petie]

That stinks. But I'd have to say I only wear a helmet at night. It's not the law in Illinois and I hate having my sight confined when watching the kids running on the sidewalk and the car in front of me stomping on the brakes at the same time. I know I'd hate to wreck and have my head and face smashed, but I'd rather have that than a kid I couldn't see get hit. Just my two cents. :D

[Freed]

With a helmet on wouldn't you be following the same rules of following distance as you would any other time of the day? Increase your following distance accordingly? Or does that only apply during the day/night, whichever senseless argument you choose to follow?

[TheBimbo]

I found this a bit ago, and figured that it was interesting to me so that it would probably be interesting to you Lounger's as well...I only took part the full story is here though...http://www.cbc.ca/cp/sports/060612/s061278.html



A look at prominent athletes involved in motorcycle accidents and other things...


The NFL's standard player contract prohibits any activity involving "significant risk of personal injury" - outside of playing football. But many prominent athletes continue to ride motorcycles anyway, despite the personal risk and the possibility of losing salary. Recent accidents involving NFL players and other athletes:

2006 - Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was badly injured in a motorcycle crash Monday morning and undergoing surgery. He was in serious but stable condition.

2006 - Houston return specialist Jerome Mathis, a Pro Bowl player, injured his hands and got scrapes and bruises, causing him to miss some off-season work.

2005 - Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. sustained internal injuries and damage to his right shoulder and right knee, forcing him to miss the season. With his leg still healing from a previous knee injury, he was learning how to ride his new sport bike in a parking lot when he hit a curb and was thrown over the handlebars.

2004 - New York Jets cornerback Jamie Henderson missed the entire season while he rehabbed from injuries sustained in an April wreck. The Jets waived him after he failed a physical.

2003 - Indy Racing League driver Dario Franchitti broke his back in a motorcycle accident and missed several races, including the Indianapolis 500.

2003 - Chicago Bulls guard Jason Williams crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his left leg. The former No. 2 NBA draft pick hasn't played in the NBA since but was still working on a comeback.

2001 - Olympic skier Hermann Maier broke both legs in wreck, nearly lost one and was told he would never walk again, let alone ski. He won two gold medals at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and added a silver and a bronze this year at the Turin Games.

2000 - Tennessee safety Marcus Robertson needed 150 stitches in his face after a crash in December and missed the regular-season finale.

1999 - Miami defensive end Kenny Mixon missed a game with abrasions and bruises he sustained in a crash after his motorcycle hit a wet spot.

1999 - New York Giants running back Gary Brown was hospitalized in a hit-run motorcycle accident over the summer and was sidelined for a couple of weeks during training camp.

1998 - Green Bay defensive lineman Jermaine Smith smashed his elbow in a June accident, prompting coach Mike Holmgren to prohibit kick returner Glyn Milburn from riding the Harley-Davidson he won as MVP of the American Bowl exhibition in Tokyo.

1997 - Major league pitcher Steve Howe, who was attempting a comeback at age 39 with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent Northern League, was critically injured in a crash and later charged with drunken driving. Those charges were later dropped after prosecutors decided his blood test was improperly obtained.

1997 - Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Shawn Price injured his elbow in an off-season wreck and missed the beginning of the season.

1997 - Italian speed skater Orazio Fagone, who won a gold medal in the 5,000-metre short track relay at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, had his right leg amputated after a motorcycle accident, ending his hopes for a return to the Nagano Games.

1994 - Former NHL tough guy Bob Probert, who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, sustained minor injuries in a motorcycle accident. Tests showed alcohol and cocaine in his system, and was placed on inactive status for the 1994-95 season.



Christy...

[jpfelix]

stupid monkeys.

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7545759#post7545759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asphaltpilot
Call me a bad guy, but I don't feel sorry for him.

Stupid Hurts. Wear your gear!

That sticker is on my ATV's tank and snowboard helmet.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Why does everyone caal him/them stupid for exercising their fredoms?

I'm sure we could pull up a long list of stupid stuff you've done in the past. :rolleyes:

That is if you've ever gotten out of the house in your life.

The world is dangerous no matter what you do. When I was a kid growing up, you didn't wear a helment when riding a bicycle. No one cared. Now that we've become a sue happy nation, they want to completely pad us all around so that if we even trip and fall, we won't get a little scrape or cut. :rolleyes:

Sorry people, but I enjoy my freedoms and doing what i want, not having a goverment tell me I can and can't do even the smallest thing.

And as for the insurance thing some of you keep mentioning, it has nothging to do with motorcycles and everything to do with our sue happy country. We can always go to a goverment controlled insurance company. You pay your premium with your regestration. Everyone pays the same.

Oh wait, that won't work. Too many people are already driving around illegal with unregestered cars. :rolleyes:


Anemone,
Guess I have that attitude because I've had it happen to me too many times as I'm sure so have the other riders on here. I've even sat there and stared them down, almost knowing they see me but yet they still pull out in front of me. That's even when I'm the only one on the road. Luckly I've been able to avoid an accident so far.

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551233#post7551233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
That is if you've ever gotten out of the house in your life.

Touchy, touchy. He's called stupid because most of us can't even imagine making the kind of money he makes for his athletic prowess. Prowess that has a very limited "shelf life." Doing something stupid that could limit his ability to earn that money by damaging his body seem rediculous to most of us. If a crash doesn't kill him, it can take a long time to completely recover - fine if you're an accountant or teacher (and can work during the recovery), but not if you're a top-tier athlete.

Enjoying his freedom? No, he was simply making a choice, and all things considered, it was a stupid one. As Terry Bradshaw said, wait until you retire to ride a motorcycle.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551233#post7551233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
Anemone,
Guess I have that attitude because I've had it happen to me too many times as I'm sure so have the other riders on here. I've even sat there and stared them down, almost knowing they see me but yet they still pull out in front of me. That's even when I'm the only one on the road. Luckly I've been able to avoid an accident so far.

The key to the above statement was "almost knowing they see me." Simple, don't assume. The human mind is an amazing thing. It's a well-proven point that a person can be looking right at something and not seeing it. Many things are involved - expectations, concentration, habituation, environmental factors. So, maybe she didn't see him.

The point is, you blamed the "cage" driver without any idea who was actually at fault. Maybe she was. Maybe he was. His choice to ride a motorcycle - the dangers are pretty well known - and his choice not to mitigate the danger by wearing a helmet, even iin the face of repeated documented warnings.

You call it expressing his freedom and lecture us about "bad" political systems and countries that don't allow that freedom (are we really taliking about wearing a safety device or not here?). You're making this into something it isn't. Yeah, it was freedom of choice. Most of us just think it was a stupid choice.

Kevin

[joeychitwood]

The lady turned left directly in front of him. His headlights were on, she was in Pittsburgh city traffic, and SHE was at fault.

Given the description of his injuries, the only helmet which would have made any difference would have been a full face model. Most helmet-wearing bikers wear half-helmets, and they would have smashed face first into the windshield just as Ben did.

The real problem here is careless car drivers who don't look for motorcyclists who share a right to the streets.

[Ereefic]

Good thing he's a top-tier athlete, so if he can't play again, he can just go and roll around in his millions. :lol:

[Crusty Old Shellback]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551317#post7551317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemone
He's called stupid because most of us can't even imagine making the kind of money he makes for his athletic prowess. Prowess that has a very limited "shelf life."

That there is another problem for another time. Why do these guys get paid so much for PLAYING a sport. :rolleyes: There are a lot of good athelites out there who just didn't have the money to go to college to be seen. They had other obgliations to take care of.

[i]
The key to the above statement was "almost knowing they see me." Simple, don't assume. The human mind is an amazing thing. It's a well-proven point that a person can be looking right at something and not seeing it. Many things are involved - expectations, concentration, habituation, environmental factors. So, maybe she didn't see him.


Kevin [/B]

True, you never assume anything. But as Joey pointed out, and many of us have experienced, a lot of people just can't seem to share the road with some one on a bike. They see us but don't "SEE" us, if you know what I mean.

Choices are for us to make. Good, Bad, Indefferent, we still make them every day. I'm not saying I condone what he did, but I don't like seeing everyone jump on him for the choice HE made, right or wrong. He was still within the laws of his state by the decission he made.

If this would have happened to anybody else, just a regular Joe, no one would have cared. :rolleyes:

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551353#post7551353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
Good thing he's a top-tier athlete, so if he can't play again, he can just go and roll around in his millions. :lol:

Or he can hire me, and I'll roll around in it for him. :D

Kevin

[FuzzyLogic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551317#post7551317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemone

Touchy, touchy. He's called stupid because most of us can't even imagine making the kind of money he makes for his athletic prowess. Prowess that has a very limited "shelf life." Doing something stupid that could limit his ability to earn that money by damaging his body seem rediculous to most of us. If a crash doesn't kill him, it can take a long time to completely recover - fine if you're an accountant or teacher (and can work during the recovery), but not if you're a top-tier athlete.

Kevin

Wait a minute! Has anyone seen Britney Spears lately? She makes tons of money because of her beauty and physique(notice I didn't mention singing abilities). Now she started eating Mcdonalds, smoking, and giving birth to children. I don't hear anyone calling her stupid!:) Should we force all young beautiful girls to stop having babies and have them on a strict diet and excersize routine. Isn't this the same logic as forcing motorcyclists to wear helmets. Its their choice, their freedom.

[Misfit6669]

Maybe if he was smart enough to get a proper M-Class license. He would have been smart enough to realize that at this point in his life, there is too much on the line to ride in the city without a brain catcher.

[cozmo1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551996#post7551996 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Misfit6669
Maybe if he was smart enough to get a proper M-Class license. He would have been smart enough to realize that at this point in his life, there is too much on the line to ride in the city without a brain catcher.

He IS a football player afterall :rolleyes:

[Misfit6669]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551350#post7551350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeychitwood
The lady turned left directly in front of him. His headlights were on, she was in Pittsburgh city traffic, and SHE was at fault.


If the latest reports are correct, he is at fault. He wasn't legal to ride a bike. He has zero rights to be on the street.

[Misfit6669]

You can also only go helmetless in PA if you have had a VALID motorcycle licence for 2 years.

Maybe calling him stupid for not wearing a helmet is not fair but if the lastest reports are correct. HE IS A FREAKING IDIOT!

[witfull]

if he has an out of state MC license he is,,,,lets not talk about fault here,,,

whats at stake is a young mans life, career desires and a few bad choices. its youth. we were all there.

lets hope he has the god given chance to learn and overcome.

and yes, riding without a helmet is not wise.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Do you have some indise info we don't about his licence?

Like I stated earlier, how long has he been riding? Did he take a MSF course when he bought his bike? Or has he ever taken one?

[Misfit6669]

No inside info, ESPN Radio is reporting it. I don't know if it was out of state but from what it sounds like it he has a valid Car license for PA but not a M-Class licence. The Cops say they won't say anything until after the investigation is completed.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

A lot of people do that. Get a car and forget they have to go back and get a MC license too. Out here, you have to have a valid MC license AND Insurance before you can take the bike off the lot.

Some states a while back did a grandfather and just gave them away if you filled out the paperwork. I didn't as at the time, I only rode Off Road. Funny though in that I had beed riding off road for over 10 years but didn't have a license until recently. When I rode street before that, you didn't have to have a seperate license. However, my insurance company DID take that into account, that I wasn't a newbie rider.


A funny thing now is that a lot of the commentator's are saying he shouldn't even be riding a MC. That none of the "stars" should be. WHY NOT? Can't he live like any other American and enjoy his life? What's the sense of having all that money if you can't enjoy your life?

[Misfit6669]

I can see why the team might not want their star QB riding a bike. Bikes are much more dangerous than cars. Bikers not wearing brain catchers have a greater chance of serious injuries. I think most feel that he was taking too much of a chance with his riding style. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before it's in the contract that you can't ride a bike w/out a helmet. Maybe even not being aloud to ride a bike at all. If he still wants his "Freedoms", don't sign the contract and don't collect his millions.

[Freed]

People don't FORGET to get their MC license, they just don't want to go through the hassle of getting one the proper way like they did for their auto license. Plus their lack of common sense telling them they won't get caught without one.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Freed,
You ever try to get a MC License? It's a lot harder than an auto one. And trying to ride that bike for the driving portion is even harder. Those types of bikes are made for laying over in the corners, not trying to do slow speed manuvers. You wind up with your hands pinched between the bars and the tank and you still can't make the circle. ;)

On a slow speed turning course, like the one you go thru for a MSF course or a DMV course, I can throw my big 'ol Harley around and run circles around those guys all day long. :D

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551963#post7551963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FuzzyLogic
Wait a minute! Has anyone seen Britney Spears lately? She makes tons of money because of her beauty and physique(notice I didn't mention singing abilities). Now she started eating Mcdonalds, smoking, and giving birth to children. I don't hear anyone calling her stupid!:) Should we force all young beautiful girls to stop having babies and have them on a strict diet and excersize routine. Isn't this the same logic as forcing motorcyclists to wear helmets. Its their choice, their freedom.

:lol:

A little different, a little the same. Mainly, beauty can last longer than athletic ability (and surgery can make it last even longer), and her singing voice DOES have something to do with it.

OTOH, many female models put off having children until they are older for exactly the reasons you mention...

And finally, didn't some hard core women's advocates say exactly that (that she was stupid, or selfish) when that female news anchor announced she was taking time off to have a baby?

We regulate many, many things due to safety concerns. "Forcing" motorcyclists to wear helmets? Hmmm, how about cigarettes and age 18 (for the safety of our youth)? How about alcohol and age 21 (same reason). How about which drugs are "prescription?" How about safety rules in the workplace - couldn't we just "choose" not to work there? These rules all have the same goal - the safety of the population. We could make this a very political thread, but I'll just leave this as: He made a choice, I think it was a stupid one.

Kevin

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Kevin,
I do agree with you to a point. There are safety "nets" put in place to protect us. But when does it become obsurd?

When we have to put a notice that "Hot Coffee" is indeed hot and will burn when you spill it in your lap.
When we have to warn you that if you eat at KFC everyday, your arteries will clog because of the oil they fry in.
When we have to warn that eating at McD every day will make you fat. :rolleyes:

Just make's you wonder sometimes what these people are thinking, or NOT thinking. ;)

[Anemone]

NOT thinking.

And I agree.

Kevin

[Freed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552679#post7552679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
Freed,
You ever try to get a MC License? It's a lot harder than an auto one. And trying to ride that bike for the driving portion is even harder. Those types of bikes are made for laying over in the corners, not trying to do slow speed manuvers. You wind up with your hands pinched between the bars and the tank and you still can't make the circle. ;)

On a slow speed turning course, like the one you go thru for a MSF course or a DMV course, I can throw my big 'ol Harley around and run circles around those guys all day long. :D

All well and good but the point to your idea that they "FORGET" to get their MC license is just as I stated previously: They don't forget to get them, they just don't because of the testing and driving lessons they have to take. They don't want to take the time to go through all that again.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Here's some more interesting reads I just found.

http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_164154105.html

Questions Raised About Intersection's Safety

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH Second Avenue is the gateway to the city of Pittsburgh for thousands of drivers each day; but on the heels of yesterday's motorcycle accident involving Steeler Ben Roethlisberger, some people are questioning the road's safety.

"They don't even think about them," says James Pettus, of Manchester. "They think about where they're going -- and they need to worry about motorcycles and bicycles and pedestrians!"

According to witnesses, Roethlisberger was driving east on Second Avenue near the intersection with the 10th Street Bridge when another car headed in the opposite direction made a left turn in front of him.

The accident happened in an area that has seen a number of crashes in recent years.

KDKA Traffic and Transportation Reporter Jim Lokay discovered that while PennDOT only reported about two dozen accidents at the intersection in the last five years, half of those crashes involved cars turning into each other.

There have also been four rear-end crashes, three head-on collisions, one pedestrian accident, two sideswipes – one involving a driver who hit a wall – and a non-collision related incident.

While PennDOT reports ten injuries, none were major.

City councilwoman Tonya Payne's office says there have been few – if any – complaints about the intersection.

Big Ben's accident, though, has a lot of people in Steeler Nation hoping fellow drivers will use extra caution on the roads.


And this one about his license

http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_164115654.html

Source: Big Ben Did Not Have PA Motorcycle License

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH One day after the motorcycle accident that seriously injured Ben Roethlisberger, there are new questions about whether the Steelers quarterback even had a license to drive a motorcycle.

As accident investigators continue to search for answers, KDKA Investigator Andy Sheehan has learned that police are looking into that issue this afternoon

Sources say that while Roethlisberger had a license to operate a car, he apparently did not possess a Pennsylvania motorcycle license.

City accident investigators are not commenting, but a confidential source tells KDKA that a review of motor vehicle records in Harrisburg shows that Roethlisberger has never had a Pennsylvania motorcycle license.

According to our source, Roethlisberger did have a learner's permit that allowed him to ride a motorcycle; but that permit expired on March 29th.

The source goes on to explain that Roethlisberger never took the written and driving test required to get a motorcycle license – and would have been driving illegally at the time of the accident.

At this point, the state division of motor vehicles will not comment on the licenses of specific state residents.

Likewise, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Tammy Ewin tells KDKA that police will "have no comment on licensing issues" until the accident investigation is over.


Now granted it looks like he didn't have one for PA, but did he have one for another state? That wouldn't be in the PA DMV records.

[FuzzyLogic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552935#post7552935 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemone
:lol:

We could make this a very political thread, but I'll just leave this as: He made a choice, I think it was a stupid one.

Kevin

Agreed, stupid choice on his part. As long as it was HIS choice :)

[AcroSteve]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7546993#post7546993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buckeye ME
You can have the "freedom" to not wear seat belts when your accident statistics are removed from calculating my car insurance.

Bingo!







I always say.. If you have a $5 head, wear a $5 helmet. I think Bell Helmets had this as part of an ad campain.

That's why I choose to wear a full face Arai.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551963#post7551963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FuzzyLogic
Wait a minute! Has anyone seen Britney Spears lately? She makes tons of money because of her beauty and physique(notice I didn't mention singing abilities). Now she started eating Mcdonalds, smoking, and giving birth to children. I don't hear anyone calling her stupid!:)

Well, now that you asked... :lol:

[BrianD]

You motorcycle people have such boring threads.

I wear a helmet!

I don't wear a helmet!

Neener neener neener!

We need a good dog thread to liven this place up.

[beerguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7554143#post7554143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BrianD
I wear a helmet!



The sad thing is that Brian doesn't have a motorcycle.

[Anemone]

How about a dog in a helmet?

http://www.zoomergear.com/images/Black-side-whtbk_RBG72dpi.jpg

http://www.kangarooconnection.com/image14JoeyClownBike.gif

[BrianD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7554147#post7554147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
The sad thing is that Brian doesn't have a motorcycle.

Don't laugh. You have seen me drive.

[BrianD]

Kevin, I haven't seen a dog in a helmet, but I did see a little foofy dog with sunglasses on at the beach.

What are those little ankle-biters with the eyes that bug out?

He did look cool in them, although the cig hanging out of his mouth overdid things.

[needyreefer]

speeking of stupid choices, did anyone here about JJ Reddick getting a DUI last night?

[BrianD]

"speeking"?

[Freed]

Speekeane

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7554471#post7554471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
Speekeane

Isn't that a place in Washington? I think I went there for a World Fair back in the 70's.


Kevin

[beerguy]

I think it rains a lot there.

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7552405#post7552405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
A funny thing now is that a lot of the commentator's are saying he shouldn't even be riding a MC. That none of the "stars" should be. WHY NOT? Can't he live like any other American and enjoy his life? What's the sense of having all that money if you can't enjoy your life?

Have you ever seen a professional athletes full contract? There's a list of about 200 things they can't do (including spelunking, which has led to many of these athletes buying dictionaries to find out what they can't do). Included is a general statement about behaviors that put their well being at risk. It's debated whether that includes motorcycle riding. If they are injured doing any of those things, the team has the option of not paying them (the Bulls were kind enough to pay Jay Williams after he was injured riding his motorcycle, though they weren't required to). There was an NFL defensive back a couple of years ago who lost his millions because he tore an ACL in a charity beach football tournament. The can't even play their own sport outside of official league activities (Jordan, later in his career, had a special clause put in to allow him to play outside of NBA games).

The fact is, the players are part of the company. The New England Patriots lose value if Tom Brady drives drunk into a tree and is out for a season. The Browns lost value when Kellen Winslow had to sit out last season after his motorcycle crash. The teams are committing tens of millions to these players. In return, the players have the duty to keep themselves in top form, both for the team that's paying them and for the community that pays that team. Big Ben signed a contract that included the clause about avoiding behaviors that put themselves at risk. So from that standpoint, no, they can't live like every other American.

The fact is, he's not like every American. He's swamped with people any time he goes into public; some athletes can't go out in public without bodyguards (Jordan had some impressive ones); some don't go out at all. He makes millions to play a game that many play for free for fun. There are responsibilities that come with that. Like Bradshaw said, he can enjoy his life after he retires and isn't under contract anymore.

Maybe you don't have restrictions at your job, but most people I know do. Does that limit you from living the American dream?

Dave

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Beleive it or not, while I was in the Navy, they actually encouraged you to go ut and enjoy thins. Thins liek riding motorcycles in events, skydiving, scuba diving. regular old stuff that everyone wants to do.

If there's things like that in their contract, seems like all they can do is play, practes or sit at home. Anything else they do puts them at risk. :rolleyes:

[Misfit6669]

Yep and they get paid very well to do just that.

[otolith]

Along the lines of being "free" to chose what one would like to do...he had the freedom to sign the contract, and any restriction that came with it. No one "made" him do it. I hardly feel sorry for him, as he chose to do everything that has happened to him.

I'm sure the reason the Navy encouraged you and your ship mates to go out an live life is because when you were out to sea, I'm sure that huge ship you were on probably got pretty small after while.

I don't mean to be (that) argumentative, but he sure was free to do as he chose, just like people in states with helmet laws were free to elect the people into office who put those laws into effect. :) OK, I don't mean that to be political. :)

[jpfelix]

cats are better than dogs!

[Freed]

Yeah, but only at stinking up the house.

[jpfelix]

unless they flush!

[Freed]

They don't smell if they blush?

[sedgro]

My 2cents as an ER doc in a busy level 1 trauma center:

Yes its your choice and I realize I chose to go in to medicine.

However, if I had some choices I would chose not to resuscitate your brain damaged-head injured carcass. I would chose not to go out to give the news to your family that we had managed to save you; seeing that glimmer of hope in their eyes; knowing in the back of my mind they have no clue what your "new life" is going to be like; knowing that if you manage to learn to swallow food on your own again that it will be an accomplishment; knowing what a financial and emotional impact what your choice will have made on them.

And lets talk about the impact on society - insurance is finite, it will eventually run out. So who picks up the tab for your long term care? WE DO - that is the American taxpayer. Personally, I think my tax money could be used for something better.

I realize helmets do not guarantee 100% safety, but then again neither to parachutes. I would certainly call someone "stupid" who jumped out of a plane without one. And if you want to talk about freedoms, well you are certainly free to walk in front of a bus or sleep on the railroad tracks too. I will call you stupid for doing either.

Lastly, I would say if you are going to ride your motorcycle without a helmet, then at least sign your donor card and make your wishes known to your family. The last one I saw with facial injuries so bad that he had managed to completely disrupt the flow in one of his internal carotid arteries didn't and his family refused to take to the IOPO people. Makes this choice to help others if you don't at least chose to help yourself.

Again, these are my opinions based on my 6yrs of experience and nothing more.

john

[joeychitwood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7557705#post7557705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sedgro
I realize helmets do not guarantee 100% safety, but then again neither to parachutes. I would certainly call someone "stupid" who jumped out of a plane without one.Did you know there has never been a randomized prospective double-blind study comparing outcomes of parachute use versus no parachute?

[Crusty Old Shellback]

sedgro,

On some of your points I do agree. If I'm that far gone, PLEASE let me die! I don't want to be a vegeatable for the rest of my life. Just bury me with my bike. ;)

[Freed]

Joey, send me as much hair algae as you want. Thanks, Jeff

[asphaltpilot]

Some very good points on here….

Did Ben have a valid license in another state? It’s a BS comment that they don’t know if he had a valid license in another state. It’s so easy for the law to find out.

Almost all states that have repealed the helmet law still have prerequisites, such as minimal health insurance, and license for x amount of years, etc…. You have to abide by those state laws to go helmet less. Florida is staring to crack down on our prerequisites because there has been a huge increase in usage of tax payer dollars to rehab helmet-less riders that had no health insurance. The increase has been huge, all because they repealed the helmet law a few years back. There’s way too many our tax dollars being spent on stupidity, and I’m just talking about helmet-less riders.

You do have a right to go without a helmet within said states. It’s rights like these why so many have shed blood, sweat, and tears to defend them, including myself. Freedom of choice, I agree!

Is it stupid to not wear a helmet? Yep.
Is it your right to go without one? Yep.
Do I shake my head every time my traffic homicide buddies shows me accident scene pics of deceased riders caused by head massive head trauma? Yep.
My usual comment: “Darwin gets another one.”

There are countless incidents that would have resulted in riders walking away or conscious if they wore their helmet. Many times, riders give their passengers the helmet, they crash, the passenger lives, the rider does not.

Beanie helmets are useless. It may save your grape if you bounce it off a hood or asphalt once or twice but your face will look like ground beef (not to mention if a stone or other object kicks up and blasts you in the face at 60mph).

And you don’t need a $600 Arai to think you have a good helmet. All full-faced helmets these days exceed DOT and/or SNELL standards. There has been zero proof that a top of the line helmet is safer than a $200 KBC.

Sure, everyone makes mistakes, including myself. I’ve made plenty of them. But for us adults, going helmet-less doesn’t fall in the category of mistakes, it falls in to the category of common sense.

Again, it is your choice if you want to add additional danger variables to your street ride. It just sucks that it’s your loved ones that are the ones left to suffer and grieve.

[Misfit6669]

Pittsburgh Steelers officials warned quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in writing last year that he might jeopardize portions of his contract, and could suffer financial implications, if he continued to ride a motorcycle.

League and team officials confirmed for ESPN.com on Tuesday night that the Steelers last year sent a letter to Roethlisberger's representatives stating their concerns and the possibility his contract could be affected if he was injured while riding a motorcycle. Agent Leigh Steinberg confirmed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers sent such a letter.

It is believed the letter was intended to serve dual purposes: To apprise Roethlisberger in writing of the team's stance on what it considered a perilous activity, and to place the club on more solid legal footing were the Steelers forced to try to recover prorated signing bonus money or even base salaries if the quarterback failed to fulfill his contract because of a motorcycle-related injury.

The contract Roethlisberger signed as the Steelers' first-round choice in the 2004 draft does not include language which specifically precludes the quarterback from riding a motorcycle. But the standard NFL contract, in general terms, prohibits players from engaging in off-field activities that pose "a significant risk of personal injury."

In the wake of a motorcycle accident last spring that sidelined Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow for the entire season with a serious knee injury, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher cautioned his quarterback about riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet. Roethlisberger said, however, that the activity alleviated stress and emphasized that he was a careful operator, and that he typically rode in groups.

Winslow's contract did stipulate he could not ride motorcycles, and his injury cost him millions of dollars in bonuses the team withheld and in incentives that he could not earn because of his inactivity.

The situation with Roethlisberger will likely be moot if he does not miss significant time with the facial injuries he suffered in Monday's accident. Steelers officials believe even more strongly now that Roethlisberger, who last season became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, will be sufficiently recovered in time to participate in most of training camp and to play in the season opener.

Even if Roethlisberger were sidelined for a prolonged period, it is not certain the Steelers, who have a long history of taking care of their players under the ownership of the Rooney family, would have attempted to recoup a prorated share of his signing bonus. The letter, however, might have provided more leverage in an arbitration action, had Roethlisberger defaulted on the contract.

In the wake of the Roethlisberger accident, some league teams are likely to become more specific in contractually forbidding players from engaging in certain activities.

Buffalo Bills safety Troy Vincent, the president of the NFL Players Association, said Tuesday that the union does not oppose teams using such specific language but noted it should be done on a case-by-case basis.

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7551350#post7551350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joeychitwood
The lady turned left directly in front of him. His headlights were on, she was in Pittsburgh city traffic, and SHE was at fault.

Given the description of his injuries, the only helmet which would have made any difference would have been a full face model. Most helmet-wearing bikers wear half-helmets, and they would have smashed face first into the windshield just as Ben did.

The real problem here is careless car drivers who don't look for motorcyclists who share a right to the streets.

If you (figuratively speaking) ride a crotch rocket, particularly a 1300cc busa, with no full face helmet or protective gear you are reckless and in my eyes an idiot. They are racing bikes anyway you want to look at it. Race drivers don't go around in jeans in a t shirt. Their curbs are flat. And they don't have big boxes to try to avoid.

If you have ever ridden a busa you will know what I am talking about. Don't forget that the missile he was riding can do well over 200. Sure he was strolling around in downtown traffic but at 20-35MPH that bike can be quite something to harness. Call it a death wish. He almost got it. He is very lucky.

As for me I am sorry to those who feel strong about the right to not wear a helmet. I wouldn't be typing here if it wasn't for a helmet. I actively encourage helmet use as it saved my life. I'm sure the two 1" chunks missing from both sides of my helmet would have done my skull a number.

I wish chopper and cruising riders would take a lesson learned from Indian Larry. I guess having the wind blow in the hair is more important than your wife or children getting the call that you are dead. I was in the hospital, I wasn't dead, they didn't get that call or a closed casket funeral, I didn't always ride with a helmet. Learn by others mistakes b/c you most likely wont get another chance.

[sedgro]

Unfortunately, being alive or dead is not always so clear cut, and people like to hold on to hope. People do sometimes recover from head injuries and "turning off the switch" is never an easy decision emotionally or legally. My advice if you are not going to wear a helmet: 1) carry good disability, medical and extended care insurance (for your nursing home) 2) make your wishes clear to ALL of your immediate family members (including your estranged brother Larry who hasn't seen you in 10 years, feels guilty about it and will be the one putting up a fight when your doctors say there is nothing they can do and want to withdraw support)) - in a living will or durable medical power of attorney 3) sign the back of your DL so someone else can benefit from your healthy heart, kidney or liver. Again, my opinions.

john

[Crusty Old Shellback]

And very good opnions they are for everyone, even if they don't ride a motorcycle.

I just recently went thru this with my Dad. Even though it was hard to take him off life support, I did because we had discussed it several time sbefore and he gave me the papers that said he didn't want to live like that. Guess I'm the same way in that if I can't get out of bed and be active, don't leave me there with a bunch of machines and tube hooked up to me.

[BrianD]

Let's go ride bikes.






Put on your helmet first.

[FuzzyLogic]

Ben Roethlisberger ebay sale

Funny stuff. Especially love the questions.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8075272567

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7556255#post7556255 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by otolith
I'm sure the reason the Navy encouraged you and your ship mates to go out an live life is because when you were out to sea, I'm sure that huge ship you were on probably got pretty small after while.

In addition to that, people in the armed forces in our country are fighting for freedom. It's hard to value that if you never get to experience any.

This is different. These guys get payed to do what some people do during that recreation time. And yeah, you're right, pretty much all they can do is sit around or workout when they're not playing or practicing.

Sedgro,
I agree with everything you said. I didn't want to risk getting into a political discussion about all the things I might choose and not choose to do if I weren't limited by my career choice as a physician.

Dave

[Scuba_Dave]

A helmet's main function is to prevent damage to your skull
I usually wear an open face helmet, hitting a car face first my helmet would not help me.
Gary busey - hit his head against a curb - a helmet would have helped.

Full face helmet - is that thin (some are bigger) strip in front of your chin REALLY going to prevent your face from being caved in by a "violent" collision? I would think not
Instead they will be picking pieces of it out of your face. Worst case it will break & be driven into your face - even worse

My 1st helmets ($30) would have done more damage to me (loose fitting) then helped.

I bet helmets in cars would cut down on a lot of head injuries
Perhaps it should be mandatory in a car?

How many billions of dollars have gone to fighting cancer & smoking related problems/deaths?

Yet it is STILL legal to smoke
Tax argument is BS unless applied across the board

[Freed]

Along those lines, how many accidents have been caused by people drinking alcohol yet the devils spit is still so legal to drink. Should have kept it illegal back in the 30's.

[Misfit6669]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562711#post7562711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
Along those lines, how many accidents have been caused by people drinking alcohol yet the devils spit is still so legal to drink. Should have kept it illegal back in the 30's.

And you think our prisons are full now ;)

[jpfelix]

after my dad's accident last yeat, i'll never ride without a helmet!

he was riding lead, hit some grit, bike went down, he went to the ditch, top of his head ended up bouncing off a 3ft rock. since he had his helmet on he only ended up chipping his c3-c7 vertebrae, and chunks were missing on his nose.

this was an accident that couldn't have been avoided. it just happened. there was only a hint of road grit and he hit it just right.

it is your choice. choose wisely.

the lounge wouldn't be the lounge without you.

[dkh0331]

A lot of passion about helmets and laws.

Be that as it may, here in PA, people are allowed to choose to wear a helmet or not. Ben chose not to.

Currently, the police have not completed their investigation. So we really don’t know all the facts yet. Eye witnesses have stated that 1) Ben was not speeding; 2) The 63 yo woman ran a red to turn in front of Ben.

One fact is known – Ben is 24. Even tho I’m a far cry from 24, I still remember not always making the smartest choices at that age.

Now, there are talks that he should be back by mid-preseason. His jaw is not wired shut so nutrition is not an issue. As long as his jaw heals as expected, he should be fine by the start of the season so he can lead the Stillers to “One for the other hand”

David

[Scuba_Dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562711#post7562711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
Along those lines, how many accidents have been caused by people drinking alcohol yet the devils spit is still so legal to drink. Should have kept it illegal back in the 30's.

But alcohol doesn't cause cancer when taken as prescribed
Tobacco does, and the nicotine is delivered in a carefully measured dose to create an addiction

[Freed]

Doesn't the bar tender use something on the bottles that only allows one shot at a time to be poured into the glass thus causing the addiction? The hand to mouth with the glass gets it done too so it's not the bar tender's fault. This leads to scerosis of the liver which is like cancer.

[asphaltpilot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562057#post7562057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scuba_Dave
Full face helmet - is that thin (some are bigger) strip in front of your chin REALLY going to prevent your face from being caved in by a "violent" collision? I would think notYes, they do. For example, Shinya Nakano (MotoGP) crashed on a front straight going well over 200mph. While he tumbled the mouth guard of the helmet hit the ground so severely that it cause Shinya to bite off part of his tongue. Throughout the crash, the helmets integrity remained intact. I have only seen (or heard) one case where a full-faced helmet broke apart.....The kid lost control as he came down from a wheelie and hit a transmission pole (concrete).

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562057#post7562057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scuba_Dave
My 1st helmets ($30) would have done more damage to me (loose fitting) then helped.This a very common problem with a lot of riders. There are resources and classes to show riders how to properly fit a helmet.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7562057#post7562057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scuba_Dave

Yet it is STILL legal to smoke
Tax argument is BS unless applied across the board Great point. Agreed.