Big Ben injured in Motorcycle Accident

[TexanFan881]

Another one Don't they ever learn :brickwall

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5687558

According to a report on WTAE's website, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle accident Monday morning.

The Steelers confirmed the accident for the Pittsburgh TV station.

A witness told the station that Roethlisberger went over the handlebars, hit the windshield of another vehicle, then hit the ground.

Roethlisberger was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

On a serious note I really hope he's ok. He's a great player and he doesn't need his career hurt by this. This is very shocking and sad news.

Just updated a little more:

Shortly after Kellen Winslow's motorcycle accident, which forced the Browns tight end to miss the entire 2005 season, Steelers head coach Bill Cowher expressed concern over his own star player's infatuation with the bikes.

"It (a pro football career) is a very small time in your life, and you've got to be very careful. You can see it documented with Kellen Winslow," Cowher said. "Not just in riding motorcycles, but where you go and who you associate with."

Cowher reportedly spoke to Roethlisberger in May of 2005 after photos surfaced in which the Steelers quarterback was posing helmetless on a motorcycle.

[aj.]

Lance and John had him on the radio this morning at 7 a.m. It must have happened right after that.

[HARRYJ]

I pray that this young man is OK. He is a true talent.

[Exascor]

I hope he's OK too but I think it's time for the NFL to include a no motorcycling clause in each contract. This is getting silly.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Exascor

I hope he's OK too but I think it's time for the NFL to include a no motorcycling clause in each contract. This is getting silly.

Many upper end contracts have a no hazardous conduct clause. Some have gotten more specific (Winslow's I believe as an example) and list motorcycling.

[TexanFan881]

A little more info on the situation:
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centr...s/14800845.htm

PITTSBURGH - Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle crash Monday morning and taken to a hospital.

"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.

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."

Wow, I just heard him this morning on the Sporting News Radio program with Tony Bruno. Wierd.

[hot pickle]

[Porky]

Thank goodness he is alert and consious. Very good sign for his life, although I am sure they assessing the extent of his injuries. As to his football career, it could be anything from perfectly fine to resume by training camp, to never playing again. At this point, we just don't know. I wouldn't want to be a steeler fan right now.

Anyone not using a helmet and riding a motorcycle in high traffic and/or high speed highways should have their head examined. I think this is just another example of some young punk who thinks because he is young, rich, and famous, that he is invincible. It seems that the experience of others is little to no deterrent. What, it can't happen to me, right?

[TexanFan881]

This one doesn't seem as good as the other one, that's for sure:

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been in a motorcycle accident in Pittsburgh this morning.

Witnesses are telling authorities that the player's motorcycle collided with a car near a downtown intersection and that Roethlisberger's head hit the windshield and was bleeding. Roethlisberger has said in the past that he prefers not to wear a helmet when riding.

One witness told KDKA television that Roethlisberger was conscious but appeared disoriented before he was taken from the scene to Mercy Hospital.

A Steelers spokesman is at the hospital and confirmed Roethlisberger is being treated there, but wouldn't provide additional details.

Good luck Ben, we are all praying for you

[Runner]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

Many upper end contracts have a no hazardous conduct clause.

I'm surprised that the players that represent the biggest investments get away with that. I know they have the leverage, but holding out over a hazardous activites clause doesn't seem very smart if the teams would stick to their guns.

[Youngstown Colt]

Originally Posted by TexanFan881

Good luck Ben, we are all praying for you

I'm not directing this at you whatsoever, but I wish I would have seen statements like this after K2 got in his accident.

Sadly, there was nothing but ridicule and jokes.

[Youngstown Colt]

[joetexan]

Profootballtalk.com has a report that it may be more serious than indicated. That report said that he t-boned another vehicle head-on, flying off his motorcycle and into the windshield of the car. While he was conscious and talking, a quote on the site says there was blood everywhere. (UPDATE - The site now says Big Ben is in surgery as I type...)

Hoping and praying for the best...

[HARRYJ]

I just heard on the news that he is in serious but stable condition.

[TexanFan881]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/enter...tainment-celeb

a pool of blood was found at the accident site.

I thought it was bad but it's starting to sound really bad. Hopefully he will be able to fully recover from this accident.

[Bearfan Blue and Orange]

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."

The crash happened 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 bike was loaded onto a flatbed truck.

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

[mexican_texan]

Anyone remember when ProFootballTalk.com was warning that this would happen?

[TexanFan881]

over at one of the steelers message boards
they say that http://www.wpxi.com/index.html has live streaming audio for whats going on
speculation is that they are having surgery on a broken jaw

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Runner

I'm surprised that the players that represent the biggest investments get away with that. I know they have the leverage, but holding out over a hazardous activites clause doesn't seem very smart if the teams would stick to their guns.

I phrased that poorly, but I think you read that backwards.

Most of the upper end contracts do have a "no hazardous conduct" clause.