It was a bad wreck and everybody says he was lucky it wasn't worse. But most of the talk is about the foolishness and irresponsibility of being a star NFL quarterback and riding a fast motorcycle without a helmet...
Roethlisberger's accident set off debate around the NFL whether teams should take additional contractual safeguards to prevent their key players from participating in hazardous behavior.
In May 2005, Cowher warned Roethlisberger about his riding habits after Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow was injured in a motorcycle accident. Winslow tore knee ligaments and was lost for the season.
Roethlisberger continued to ride after Winslow's accident, and that angered Terry Bradshaw, who quarterbacked the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories during the 1970s. Visiting the Steelers' training camp last summer, Bradshaw remarked: "Ride it when you retire."
So the reason he's worth keeping safe is because of his value to the team. The reason he's irresponsible is because of his responsibility to the team.
But, if he's not an important player, or if he rides after he retires, then it's not as big a deal because the only ones affected are his parents, brothers & sisters, friends, future wife and kids, and, oh yeah, himself.
If it's irresponsible to the team, isn't it irresponsible to the ones who are going to be around long after football?
I hope Ben doesn't stop and think about why everyone is so concerned about him; he might get the impression his reason for living is football.
