Terrible news today out of Pittsburgh . . . Steelers' franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger was involved in a motorcycle accident in downtown Pittsburgh that left him in serious but stable condition. First reports indicated that Roethlisberger had suffered extensive facial and jaw damage with injuries to his knees as well. It's way too early to say whether or not the accident will cost Big Ben any playing time in the fall, but based on previous athlete-with-motorcycle accidents, you'd have to think it's going to be a lengthy road back to 100% health.
Apparently Roethlisberger wasn't wearing a helmet, and while that's just plain stupid, it's far from the first time we've seen a big bucks professional athlete make such a decision. Just look at NBAer Jay Williams and NFLer Kellen Winslow, Jr., in recent years. These guys could not resist the temptation of the motorcycle, whether it was the open road, the daredevil nature or just the plain old thrill of it. Williams saw his bright hoops career ruined, while Winslow still has yet to make his presence felt at the pro level. Roethlisberger's case is a little different: here's a guy who'd already become the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, a guy who was amongst the short listers for the league's clean cut image award, a guy from a small college who was really difficult not to root for, even if he was a Pittsburgh Steeler.
And for all that, what difference did it make? Big Ben loved riding his motorcycle, said he was "safe" as could be in doing so, and ignored warnings from head coach Bill Cowher and a host of others about the dangers of riding without wearing a helmet. I guess it just didn't register with him like it should have. Once again we are struck with the picture of an athlete believing the hype, believing himself to be above the laws of chance and suffering terrible consequences.
Not a fun day for anyone. Especially Ben Roethlisberger.
-JAB
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment