"Ben, meet Helmet. Helmet, meet Ben"
Posted on 06/12/2006 2:42:22 PM PDT by kellynla
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.
"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.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
Now he knows why folks wear a helmet.
"A silver Chrysler New Yorker traveling in the opposite direction took a left turn and collided with the motorcycle"
The classic idiot motorist who failed to yield to the bike.
And why I do not ride anymore.
He lost most of his teeth. Wonder if his helmet preferences will now change.
If he has a broken jaw and nose then he took a facial hit. It's doubtful a helmet would have done him much good.
I don't like helmet laws. (we don't have them in MN, but I wear one anyway as cheap insurance)
He's lucky. Most people in motorcycle accidents without a helmet are organ donors.
True. He'd likely have been only shaken up.
It pretty much doesn't matter who is at fault, the motorcycle is going to lose every time.
This is the reason that I am selling both of my bikes. Here in South Florida, drivers have no respect for bikes at all. I hope Big Ben will be OK and playing this season. We haven't had a good quarterback since Bradshaw and it would be a shame to lose him after only 2 seasons (not to mention a Superbowl).
Semper Fi'
Jarhead
Incredible. Not nearly as smart as fans may think.
Post #9 is for you too.
Your odds are better with a helmet. I had one traumatic dismount where the sound of my helmet hitting the blacktop convinced me that my bare head would not have made it.
Some of the first reports I heard included damage to his knees. I also heard a plastic surgeon has been brought in.
To put that much faith in the competence of the drivers around you is a mistake of the highest order.
Correction: "Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback to be handed a Super Bowl championship..."
Some sports teams put clauses in their player contracts prohibiting dangerous off-field activities such as auto-racing, other competitive sports and motorcycle riding without a helmet.
Anybody else see the irony in this? This A-hole wears a helmet for safety reasons while earning a living, but can't be bothered while driving a moving vehicle. A true rocket scientist.
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