Roethlisberger Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Accident
Details are still sketchy, but Roethlisberger has reportedly fractured his left sinus cavity bone, suffered a broken jaw, sustained a nine-inch gash to the back of his head, injured both knees, and lost several teeth. The extent of the knee injuries is unknown at this time.
Roethlisberger made news around this time last year by admitting he chooses to not wear a motorcycle helmet. His comments came shortly after the accident that ended Kellen Winslow's 2005 season, and sparked criticism from former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw.
Fantasy Impact: The Steelers operate a run-first offense, so Big Ben shouldn't have been high on your list of fantasy quarterbacks to begin with. The initial reports on his injuries make him perhaps a shakier prospect because he obviously is going to miss some offseason work and has some rehabilitation ahead of him. But an accurate assessment from a fantasy standpoint can't be made until reports on the extent of the injuries to his knees come in.
Voice of the Fans...
- "So why do these guys put Helmets on to face 250lb Linebackers, but not 2000lb cars? It doesn't add up to me." -- CowgirlPackers
- "If Tommy Maddox got death threats because of poor play on the field, what is gonna happen to the driver of this car if Ben DID have the right of way? Ugh. It's gonna be Bartman times 10000." -- Saintswhodi
- "I absolutely agree with the sentiment of wearing a helmet. It is stupid not to. That being said, this is the land of the free and all and if you want to be stupid, it's your right to do so. Regardless of whether or not we all think it's dumb, this is where personal responsibility comes in." -- Ronaprhys
- "The criticisms about him not wearing a helmet are bang on. This is partially self-induced damage. He deserves some of the blame. Of course, he didn't plan on getting hit , but it's a function of his age to believe that you are invincible. Bad stuff happens to other people. All that being said, this has got to be a nerve-wracking and sorrowful day for his mom, dad, and siblings." -- Buccos9
Comments
It’s nice to say this is the land of the free and folks should be able to ride motorcycles without a helmet. But there are rehab hospitals all over the country where non-helmeted motorcycle riders will spend years trying to regain enough of brain functions to live close to a normal life. Who pays for that care when the insurance money runs out?
I very seriously doubt that this incident was the first red flag behavior exhibited by Roethlisberger. Someone in his camp should have put him on point with a professional to ask him the hard questions, confront him, challenge him, about his behavior in an effort to get him to engage in some self-examination and possibly AVOID such a tragedy in the first damn place. GASP! What a concept. Instead, he just got a lecture. Lotta good that did!
In todays past pace world, you have to use all tools available to you to stay safe.. Perhaps he will have learned this leason well.
He got really lucky. Most don’t survive the kind of accident he was in, much less, continue their professional sports career.
I agree with BillW. Anytime people make the claim that their choices to disregard personal safety are their own right fail to weigh in the societal impact. Our premiums increase when these people are injured. Wake up! No one lives in a vacuum. Everyone’s choice to smoke, not wear a motorcycle or bicycle helmet, not wear a seatbelt, etc. doesn’t stop with the person that was injured.
He was warned by his agent to put on a helmet.
He was warned by his team that his contract was under question if he didn’t put on a helmet.
This guy knew the risks very well, but hey, he chose to shoot dice with his face and skull.
Now he’s in hospital.
Parts of his face and skull are decorating a street somewhere.
What’s the bet that he will have learned NOTHING from this? That he’ll just get right back on his bike and not wear a helmet? (sigh)
I’ve been riding motorcycles for over 20 years. At one time Texas made helmets mandatory. I nearly had one accident when a large bug flew inside my helmet and lodged between my helmet and my ear. I had a couple of close calls because the helmet limited my sense of awareness of what was around me. I finally sold my motorcycle in protest. Why should the state make me wear something that might “cause” me to have and accident. Riding a motorcycle is like horseback riding, skydiving, or suba diving. There is an element of risk the individual has to be willing to take to enjoy the sport! If I choose to take the risk it is my choice. I now ride again now that the Texas helmet laws have been repealed and will sell the bike and stop riding again if they make me wear a helmet. Would it be different if Roethlisberger had broke his neck because he had a helmet? I personally prefer to be more aware of my surroundings and possibly be quicker to react in a emergency and avoid an accident. Bottom line…you can’t ride a motorcycle without an element of risk… If you get run over you get hurt, with or without a helmet. If you can’t accept that, don’t get on a bike.
Helmet or not I hope he recovers well.
I rode for about 10 years without a helmet and 30 WITH. I’d say you feel invincible WITH.