Roethlisberger in serious condition after bike accident

[Malfa]

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was badly hurt in a motorcycle crash Monday and undergoing surgery. The extent of his injuries was not known.

Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition, said Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital.

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

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.


The 24-year-old Roethlisberger likes to ride without a helmet, a habit that once prompted coach Bill Cowher to lecture him on the dangers.
Ben Roethlisberger's wrecked bike
AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
Roethlisberger was riding this motorcycle when he collided with an automobile in Pittsburegh on Monday morning.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Roethlisberger wasn't wearing a helmet. The Associated Press reported it wasn't clear whether he was wearing a helmet or not.

The crash happened at an intersection at the edge of downtown at about 11:30 a.m. A pool of blood was still visible there by early afternoon.

Police spokesman Lt. Kevin Kraus 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...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2480830

[Jing]

first jay williams and this now. wtf is with athletes and getting hurt on motos.. to reckless

[Malfa]

well ben wasnt even wearing a helmet

[Ruff Ryder]

I dunno what makes him think it's safer out on the football field with a helmet than it is on the road, on a bike without one.

[Donatello]

Sorry, but that's what he gets. Idiot.

[Riot]

Sorry, but that's what he gets. Idiot.

So because he doesn't wear a helmet he deserves to be in a serious accident? That's a fucking joke.

[dada]

Sorry, but that's what he gets. Idiot.

So because he doesn't wear a helmet he deserves to be in a serious accident? That's a fucking joke.

I agree. By saying that you imply that the fate of everyone who doesnt wear a helmet is that they will deservedly crash and get hurt. Its not a law in the state to wear a helmet so he isnt the only person who thinks its fine. I personally think they should but thats just me. When I ride occasionally I wear one but thats my choice.

[Donatello]

I did not say he as a person deserves it. But if you are going to ride such a vehicle, you are taking your safety into your own hands. If you choose to not wear protective equipment, the extent of your injuries are your own fault. That's all I meant.

[Anthony15]

Thats a tight bike! But really, he shud've at least wore a helmet!

[Drex]

Roethlisberger in 2005: '... The safest rider I can be'

ESPN: It's not the law in Pennsylvania to wear a helmet. Why don't you wear a helmet?
Roethlisberger: Because you don't have to. It's not the law. If it was the law, I'd definitely have one on every time I rode. But it's the law and I know I don't have to and you're just more free when you're out there with no helmet on.

[Malfa]

it doesnt matter

thats why you have seat belts to ensure that you have a better chance of being safe when you get in an accident

[KIG1]

Well I hope Ben can still play again or that would be a tough loss for the Steelers. I remember when he said that he just rode for pleasure and was a very safe driver, and I hope hes ok.

[jon_doe]

what is he doing?

i hope he doesn't wreck his career like williams did

didn't kelly holcomb (nfl) get into a bike accident too?

[Matthew]

I did not say he as a person deserves it. But if you are going to ride such a vehicle, you are taking your safety into your own hands. If you choose to not wear protective equipment, the extent of your injuries are your own fault. That's all I meant.

Your attitude still ins't justified. Ben is a human being. This was an accident. Sure he took a "risk" by not wearing a helmet, but its still unfortunate what happened. Its like whenhaving sex, if the condom breaks and you get an std. its an unfortunate accident. And just becuase he's an athlete he's held to a completely different standard?

It's also quite obvious that you were quick to say "he got what he deserved", but didn't show any concern for his health or recovery.

I've got no respect for you after that post.

[Matt]

wouldn't his contract prohibit him riding a motor bike? if he can't play he'll lose his money since they can void it.

[Matthew]

Thats if he doesn't play. There are reports that he will still play. Plus the Steelers are a classy organisation, I doubt they'd do that to the qb that won them a superbowl.

[Jeffx]

WTF? I love Big Ben and hope he makes a full recovery, but not a smart move on his part. You wouldn't play football without a helmet - same applies to riding a bike.

[Donatello]

Your attitude still ins't justified. Ben is a human being. This was an accident. Sure he took a "risk" by not wearing a helmet, but its still unfortunate what happened. Its like whenhaving sex, if the condom breaks and you get an std. its an unfortunate accident. And just becuase he's an athlete he's held to a completely different standard?

It's also quite obvious that you were quick to say "he got what he deserved", but didn't show any concern for his health or recovery.

I've got no respect for you after that post.

He has an amazing life and is rich beyond anyone's wildest dreams for playing a GAME. He decided to engage in risky activities without protecting himself as much as possible... that, in my opinion, is flat-out stupid. I am not holding an athlete to a different standard than I would hold anyone else, not sure where you got that from- I don't even know who this guy is, never heard his name before this post.

I would be more concerned for the 'health and recovery' of innocent victims of bombings and things like that than a rich football player who didn't wear safety gear while motorcycling. That was his own choice. He knew the risks, and accepted them, as he clearly stated in that article Drex posted.

This isn't like wearing a condom, it breaking, and getting an STD. He didn't even wear the condom.

[KIG1]

Your attitude still ins't justified. Ben is a human being. This was an accident. Sure he took a "risk" by not wearing a helmet, but its still unfortunate what happened. Its like whenhaving sex, if the condom breaks and you get an std. its an unfortunate accident. And just becuase he's an athlete he's held to a completely different standard?

It's also quite obvious that you were quick to say "he got what he deserved", but didn't show any concern for his health or recovery.

I've got no respect for you after that post.

He has an amazing life and is rich beyond anyone's wildest dreams for playing a GAME. He decided to engage in risky activities without protecting himself as much as possible... that, in my opinion, is flat-out stupid. I am not holding an athlete to a different standard than I would hold anyone else, not sure where you got that from- I don't even know who this guy is, never heard his name before this post.

I would be more concerned for the 'health and recovery' of innocent victims of bombings and things like that than a rich football player who didn't wear safety gear while motorcycling. That was his own choice. He knew the risks, and accepted them, as he clearly stated in that article Drex posted.

This isn't like wearing a condom, it breaking, and getting an STD. He didn't even wear the condom.

Oh so its really his fault for a car coming and sideswiping him? Its not like he was going to fast or doing tricks. A car just came from the other side of the street and hit him.

[Donatello]

Again, I'll say this... actually I'll just quote myself. Read it again, or not, I don't care-- but it's the truth. I'll shut up so you guys can talk about the injured football player now.

I did not say he as a person deserves it. But if you are going to ride such a vehicle, you are taking your safety into your own hands. If you choose to not wear protective equipment, the extent of your injuries are your own fault. That's all I meant.

Not sure why you guys are castrating me for saying that. But whatever, I certainly don't get upset over stuff on this message board, sorry if you do. If you've lost respect for me, I'm sorry, but for the record I'm not upset at anyone.