Roethlisberger involved in motorcycle accident (1 Viewer)

[ptsteelers]

didn't one of the doctors that was quoted here ... To damn lazy to look for it ... say that if his upper jaw was broken, that he would take a long time to get on the field ??

 

[Homey]

Very Short.

Dr. Larry Jones says Ben has been transfered to another room. Upgraded to fair from seriuos. Should go home 3-5 days. Fractured both jaws, mild concussion and no problems with knees. Lost 2 teeth, some chipped

This guy must've been drinking his milk every day. TWO TEETH!! He slammed his face into a wind shield at 20 mph and flew onto the pavement. The 7 hours of surgery seem to be because the wanted to speed up the healing and if all of these reports are accurate then Big Ben is a tank to come away with so few injuries.

Awesome. So all those people harping on SEVERELY injured knees and losing MOST of his teeth can be quiet now.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Very Short.

Dr. Larry Jones says Ben has been transfered to another room. Upgraded to fair from seriuos. Should go home 3-5 days. Fractured both jaws, mild concussion and no problems with knees. Lost 2 teeth, some chipped

This guy must've been drinking his milk every day. TWO TEETH!! He slammed his face into a wind shield at 20 mph and flew onto the pavement. The 7 hours of surgery seem to be because the wanted to speed up the healing and if all of these reports are accurate then Big Ben is a tank to come away with so few injuries.

Awesome. So all those people harping on SEVERELY injured knees and losing MOST of his teeth can be quiet now.

Hi Homey,"those people" were the Pittsburgh Police Department. We've been reporting no ligament damage for his knees since last night.

J

 

[ptsteelers]

didn't one of the doctors that was quoted here ... To damn lazy to look for it ... say that if his upper jaw was broken, that he would take a long time to get on the field ??

Found it ... never mind, it was a type of fracture to the upper jaw, not just the fracture of the upper jaw.Nevermind ... nothing to see here ... move along.

 

[mad sweeney]

From KDKA News:

Upgraded to fair conditon.

Awake and alert with his family.

Suffered broken upper and lower jaw, nose and mild concussion.

No structural damage to his knees.

Brain function seems to be normal.

Lucky, lucky, lucky son of a #####.Very good news for him, but he's still far from being at top form come opening week. No way he's business as usual, just look at what the lack of offseason conditioning did to Jamal Lewis. And he got 3 squares a day. Hope he heals well, I want another shot at him down the road.

 

[MKB4®]

CT scan of the brain also came back good.

 

[CA_7]

If indeed his jaw is wired, it will be reasonable to expect him to lose a good 25 lbs.

I drink a boost for breakfast, and ensure for dizzert

Somebody ordered pancakes I just sip the sizzurp

That right there could drive a sane man bizzerk

Not to worry y'll Mr. H 2 the Izzo's back to wizzerk

 

[nightshift]

Thank you, Lord, for Ben's hard head!

Someone had an angel on his shoulder during that ride. Hopefully, he doesn't bet on that kind of divine intervention (or luck) again.

If he rides (I think he will) again, he should take the MSF course in PA (he will get his license on completion - if he passes, of course) and put a lid on.

For those driving autos, take a second more and look for the bikers! We are out there and would appreciate your focus and attention to the road.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

dodge a bullet is an understatement. This is like dodging the asteroid that levelled Siberia.

 

[Homey]

Very Short.

Dr. Larry Jones says Ben has been transfered to another room. Upgraded to fair from seriuos. Should go home 3-5 days. Fractured both jaws, mild concussion and no problems with knees. Lost 2 teeth, some chipped

This guy must've been drinking his milk every day. TWO TEETH!! He slammed his face into a wind shield at 20 mph and flew onto the pavement. The 7 hours of surgery seem to be because the wanted to speed up the healing and if all of these reports are accurate then Big Ben is a tank to come away with so few injuries.

Awesome. So all those people harping on SEVERELY injured knees and losing MOST of his teeth can be quiet now.

Hi Homey,"those people" were the Pittsburgh Police Department. We've been reporting no ligament damage for his knees since last night.

J

I know and pointed out in this thread several times that it was the police who had made those comments based on what they simply saw at the scene. There were many posters here, however, who insisted that those reports carried lots of weight.

 

[MKB4®]

http://kdka.com/video/?id=17202@kdka.dayport.com

video

 

[poopdawg]

A little premature, but who cares!!!

 

[Bad_Mo]

I've seen a fair share of moron bikers out there, driving too fast, weaving in and out of traffic, etc.

Couple that with idiot non-bike vehicles with moron drivers on the road and it makes you wonder why someone would want to ride a bike other than a dirtbike.

Good luck to BR. Maybe he'll have an epiphany during his recovery.

 

[Homey]

From KDKA News:

Upgraded to fair conditon.

Awake and alert with his family.

Suffered broken upper and lower jaw, nose and mild concussion.

No structural damage to his knees.

Brain function seems to be normal.

Lucky, lucky, lucky son of a #####.Very good news for him, but he's still far from being at top form come opening week. No way he's business as usual, just look at what the lack of offseason conditioning did to Jamal Lewis. And he got 3 squares a day. Hope he heals well, I want another shot at him down the road.

Lewis issue was having ankle surgery before hitting the lock-up and not being able to properly rehab it IMO.

 

[CA_7]

I'm sorry but after KWII and Big Ben, any other football player who gets hurt riding a motorcycle should receive little or no sympathy.

 

[Gangster]

A little premature, but who cares!!!

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

If he rides (I think he will) again

That stupid son of a ##### better stay of a bike until he retires.

 

[lordofgun]

Originally posted by billsburgh on 04-21-2006 at 03:40 AMBen Roethlisberger cut me off the other day

so I'm stopped at a red light near the steelers practice facility and I look in my rear view mirror and Ben is behind me on his motorcycle. the ####### still doesn't wear a helmet. When the light turns green, I turn left and flies past me and cuts me off before the next light and then turns right on red where there is a sign saying no right on red. Jeez, he wins the superbowl and he thinks he can do whatever he wants on his motorcycle.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Wow, the news just keeps getting better.

I'm reading on the Steelers homer board that Stan Savarn (local Pgh radio host) had a Dental surgeon on the air today, and that guy was claiming that he didn't think Ben's jaw would need to be wired shut due to the advancements they have made in surgery.

That jibes well with the "extended surgery time to reduce recovery time" we were hearing last night.

Again, take it as nothing but ruomr -- but if true...

EXCELLENT /mr burns

 

[JohnnyU]

Thank you, Lord, for Ben's hard head!

Someone had an angel on his shoulder during that ride. Hopefully, he doesn't bet on that kind of divine intervention (or luck) again.

If he rides (I think he will) again, he should take the MSF course in PA (he will get his license on completion - if he passes, of course) and put a lid on.

For those driving autos, take a second more and look for the bikers! We are out there and would appreciate your focus and attention to the road.

Hopefully he will never get on another motorcycle. I had a bad wreck in 1989, and I've never been back on another motorcycle. I was rounding a curve when the kick stand fell down, and I lost control and hit a park car. I think to this day that wreck is the reason why I have degenerative arthritis in my left hip. I was wearing a helmet (I was living in Ky, and it's a state law).

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Ben won't have his jaw wired:

Roethlisberger's recovery: 'He is awake, alert, oriented. . .'

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

By Joe Fahy and Anita Srikameswaran

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was upgraded to fair condition and could be released from Mercy Hospital by the end of the week, his doctor said yesterday.

He was also transferred from the recovery room to an undisclosed unit at the hospital, said Dr. Larry M. Jones, chief of the multisystem trauma division.

"He is awake, alert, oriented and is resting with family by his side," the doctor said. "If all goes as planned, Mr. Roethlisberger could be released from the hospital in the next three to five days."

Dr. Jones listed the quarterback's injuries: fractures of the upper and lower jaws, facial bones and nose; a mild concussion; multiple head lacerations, and multiple abrasions and contusions; and two lost teeth and several chipped teeth.

His knees were not damaged, and a CT scan indicated there was no brain injury.

"Our continued observation shows that his brain is functioning normally," Dr. Jones said.

On Monday, a team of surgeons repaired the broken bones in Mr. Roethlisberger's face during a seven-hour surgery.

Dr. Daniel Pituch, who led the surgical team, "did a beautiful job putting him back together ... with tremendous artistry and detail," said Dr. Guy Stofman, Mercy's chief of plastic surgery. "My hat is off to him."

Mr. Roethlisberger will probably need to eat a soft diet for four to six weeks "to rest his jaw," Dr. Stofman said, and probably should not be involved in "high velocity contact" for seven to eight weeks.

He said that if Mr. Roethlisberger needs to undergo rehabilitation, it likely "will not be very intense."

"When we're satisfied that he's capable, he can start working out. That could be weeks," said Dr. Stofman, who has been involved in Mr. Roethlisberger's care.

"For the next four to six weeks, he will be closely watched and his activity level will be geared toward his progress."

Asked if he could have a full recovery, Dr. Stofman said, "that's what we're hoping for. He's a very brave and very strong-willed, super young man."

Team sources said Roethlisberger should be ready to participate in training camp, which starts in July, although he may not play in the first preseason game Aug. 12. But they are confident he should heal and be ready to play in the season opener Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

The biggest unknown in terms of his recovery is "what the future brings," Dr. Stofman said, noting there is "a physical, psychological and emotional component" to his injuries. "Only time will tell."

Dr. Stofman did not rule out the possibility that the Steelers quarterback could develop memory deficits or other cognitive problems that can sometimes occur after a traumatic head injury.

"I've seen tremendous head injuries that have had no long-term effects at all," he said, "yet I've seen bumps on the head that appear to be very innocuous or benign, if you will, turn into major, major problems."

Mr. Roethlisberger's doctors are pleased with his progress, but he will have to take one day at a time.

On the positive side, "early on, he knew where he was, was answering appropriately," Dr. Stofman said. "If he heals without significant complications and all the chips fall into place, his prognosis will be great. But none of us plays God. None of us predicts the future."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Ed Bouchette contributed to this report. Joe Fahy can be reached at jfahy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1722. Anita Srikameswaran can be reached at anitas@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3858. )

 

[pinequick]

Thank you, Lord, for Ben's hard head!

Someone had an angel on his shoulder during that ride.

Well, maybe kind of like that angel in the Capital One credit card commercials. . .

 

[3C's]

A week or so ago I'm thinking about the week 1 game between the Steelers and Dolphins. Ben was reportedly in great shape and looking really sharp on his throws. Culpepper was still thought to be far from being ready. Now Ben is all tore up and Daunte is looking good in mini-camp. As a Steelers fan a Ben vs Joey matchup just sounds better than a Batch vs Culpepper one.

 

[nightshift]

Thank you, Lord, for Ben's hard head! 

Someone had an angel on his shoulder during that ride. Hopefully, he doesn't bet on that kind of divine intervention (or luck) again.

If he rides (I think he will) again, he should take the MSF course in PA (he will get his license on completion - if he passes, of course) and put a lid on.

For those driving autos, take a second more and look for the bikers! We are out there and would appreciate your focus and attention to the road.

Hopefully he will never get on another motorcycle. I had a bad wreck in 1989, and I've never been back on another motorcycle. I was rounding a curve when the kick stand fell down, and I lost control and hit a park car. I think to this day that wreck is the reason why I have degenerative arthritis in my left hip. I was wearing a helmet (I was living in Ky, and it's a state law).

He still owns a Harley... lots of us have had wrecks (present company included). lived to tell the tale, and got back on.But hopefully, he is wiser about his riding. He's a smart guy & I think he'll learn from this accident.

 

[3MTA3]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but I was told that the way of wiring a jaw is soon to be extinct and that there's a current method out there where they place plates in the jaw instead, allowing motion if needed.

Again, friend of a friend type stuff here.

 

[Arm Chair Express]

The state of New Hampshire does not require helmets - and if you drive thru there, half the riders really don't wear them.  Does PA not have a law either?

PA used to have a helmet law but they got rid of it a few years back.

Yeah, that was a brilliant decision by our legislators.

Not to hijack, but I agree with that decision. If you don't want to wear a helmet while riding your motorcycle then you shouldn't have to. Yes it's dangerous, but do we really need the government to legislate everything?

Do you feel the same way for seat belts and car seats for children?Because in PA we have laws for both seat belts and child car seats, but none for helmets for motorcycle riders. I think one is a lot safer riding in a 3500 pound car without a seat belt then on a 600 pound bike totally exposed without a helmet. It just doesn't make sense to me.

seriously.how is it a law to wear a seatbelt while driving a car but not to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle?

there are plenty of stupid laws in this country that don't make much sense. requiring helmets for motorcycle riders actually makes sense though.

Another aspect of the motorcycle law is the impact on the other person involved in the accident. How would you feel if you were driving a car and ended up seriously injuring (or worse) a motorcyclist. I came on the scene once right after an accident and saw a motorcycle accident where the driver looked like his left foot was now on backwards. I was bothered by this image for a long time and I wasn't involved.

All I'm saying is wearing a helmet better protects the other party from feeling responsible for a serious injury. In this case, it's almost a certainty that this woman will be facing a very tough situation for supposedly causing this accident. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad if Ben had a helmet on during the crash.

Save a biker and look both ways twice before pulling out in front of them and you won't feel guilty. Not too many bikes just run into cars, its the other way around and in that case who cares what they think. What do you think the family of the biker feels after someone kills their loved one. It's happening more and more. I actually sold my Harley because of too many close calls with idiots pulling out in front of me. Once my children are out of school I will probably get another one, but for now, I (not the government) made a choice that benifits me and my family.

You are missing the point. People make mistakes. How would you feel if you were in the wrong in a simple collision with another car but because the family didnt have their 2 young children in proper seats, both were instantly killed, or worse are now in a vegtable-like state?

I didn't miss the point, but as a someone who rides, I can tell you it isn't as fun as it used to be. Nobody comes to complete stops at stop signs or traffic lights. Everyone is in such a hurry these days or on their cell phone and not paying attention. I would feel terrible whether it was my fault or not, but if the rider wasn't wearing a helmet or a seatbelt it wouldn't make me feel any worse one way or the other. I believe when it you time to go, it your time to go, so it wouldn't matter whether they had their seat belt or helmet on or not.

 

[Arm Chair Express]

In fact there are many who believe that if he was wearing a full face shield helmet he could have snapped his neck. 

i don't see how wearing a helmet would have increased his chances of fracturing his spine.

The theory being (not necc. that I subscribe to it, but there is some science to work with here) that the energy that was used crushing his face, jaw, teef and sinus cavity -- with a helmet on that would have instead all been transferred into his neck.

ah, i see the theory now.but once his face stopped moving, all that energy was transferred into his neck anyway.

But, add a 3 lb helmet and it increase the G-Forces applied to the neck.

 

[Godsbrother]

Mr. Roethlisberger will probably need to eat a soft diet for four to six weeks "to rest his jaw," Dr. Stofman said, and probably should not be involved in "high velocity contact" for seven to eight weeks.He said that if Mr. Roethlisberger needs to undergo rehabilitation, it likely "will not be very intense.""When we're satisfied that he's capable, he can start working out. That could be weeks," said Dr. Stofman, who has been involved in Mr. Roethlisberger's care."For the next four to six weeks, he will be closely watched and his activity level will be geared toward his progress."Asked if he could have a full recovery, Dr. Stofman said, "that's what we're hoping for. He's a very brave and very strong-willed, super young man."Team sources said Roethlisberger should be ready to participate in training camp, which starts in July, although he may not play in the first preseason game Aug. 12. But they are confident he should heal and be ready to play in the season opener Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

EXTREMELY good news!

 

[Franknbeans]

Injuries sustained by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, according to Dr. Larry M. Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital:

fractures to his upper and lower jaws

mild concussion

fractured nose

fractured facial bones

multiple head lacerations

multiple abrasions and contusions

lost 2 teeth

chipped several teeth

no evidence of any major structural damage to knees

CT scan of brain showed no injury

 

[Godsbrother]

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

 

[FUBAR]

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

I really hope "what would a West Virgina do" isn't the new standard

 

[fatness]

When Roethlisberger is healed enough and finally does a press conference, if he wears a helmet for it he has a future in standup comedy.

 

[Jason Wood]

Really unbelievable. I don't believe in miracles but Big Ben has about as much good fortune as one could hope for under the circumstances. Good fortunes to Big Ben, his family and the Stillers faithful

 

[Ozymandias]

 

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

Not that I object, because I think it is funny. But what if this comment had been made about some racial group?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Really unbelievable. I don't believe in miracles but Big Ben has about as much good fortune as one could hope for under the circumstances. Good fortunes to Big Ben, his family and the Stillers faithful

The man can take a hit.Seriously, as Bloom put it, this is like dodging an asteroid, not a bullet. I remained hopeful all the time because reports I heard made it sound as if it were not as bad as many were speculating, but now that it appears as if he'll be OK for the preseason, I am really breathing a sigh of relief.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

Not that I object, because I think it is funny. But what if this comment had been made about some racial group?

OK, South Pacific Islanders have been doing without teeth for centuries. Happy now?

 

[Kirby]

 

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

Not that I object, because I think it is funny. But what if this comment had been made about some racial group?

I thought hilljacks were a race?

 

[CrossEyed]

I really hope that this is a life-changing event for Ben. Based on some off-season encounters that I've heard about, it seemed like the success was starting to go to his head a bit. Perhaps this will remind him that he's just like the rest of us and that all of his success and fame could be taken away in an instant. A more mature Ben will be better for all.

 

[brettdj]

In fact there are many who believe that if he was wearing a full face shield helmet he could have snapped his neck. 

i don't see how wearing a helmet would have increased his chances of fracturing his spine.

The theory being (not necc. that I subscribe to it, but there is some science to work with here) that the energy that was used crushing his face, jaw, teef and sinus cavity -- with a helmet on that would have instead all been transferred into his neck.

ah, i see the theory now.but once his face stopped moving, all that energy was transferred into his neck anyway.

But, add a 3 lb helmet and it increase the G-Forces applied to the neck.

But the padding inside the helmet allows for more compression of the face without injury. And adds spreads the force of the strike out. This should reduce the overall peak G force on the neck and face.

 

[Homey]

I really hope that this is a life-changing event for Ben. Based on some off-season encounters that I've heard about, it seemed like the success was starting to go to his head a bit. Perhaps this will remind him that he's just like the rest of us and that all of his success and fame could be taken away in an instant. A more mature Ben will be better for all.

He already "plays for jesus," what else do you want from him?

 

[Sea Bass]

 

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

Not that I object, because I think it is funny. But what if this comment had been made about some racial group?

If this is apprpriate, at the very least it belongs on the other board.

 

[Spartans346]

 

Who needs teeth?

People in West Virigina having been doing without them for centuries...

Not that I object, because I think it is funny. But what if this comment had been made about some racial group?

I thought West Virginans were there own racial group

 

[dotman]

Good to see he'll recover

Even though I'm not a Steeler's fan, as an NFL fan, you want to see the stars of the league out on the field, and Ben has always seemed like the type of guy I'd like to have a beer with. Hopefully he learns from this.

 

[MKB4®]

Roethlisberger to leave hospital tomorrow

Gerry Dulac

6/14/2006

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be discharged tomorrow from Mercy Hospital, just three days after he was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused numerous facial and head injuries, a source who visited Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger has severe bruising and swelling in his face and neck area, but he has been speaking -- albeit softly and briefly -- to visitors. He was also fed soft foods such as yogurt and pudding today -- the first time he has been allowed to eat since the motorcycle he was operating slammed into the side of a car on Second Avenue at the 10th Street bridge intersection Monday morning.

Doctors said Roethlisberger broke portions of his upper and lower jar, but the third-year quarterback did not have his jaw wired shut, according to the source. Instead, titanium plates were inserted to help hold the jaw in place.

Roethlisberger sustained a broken nose and broke the orbital bone underneath his eye, the source said.

A press conference on Roethlisberger's condition will take place at 5 p.m. today at Mercy Hospital.

http://www.post-gazette.com

 

[CrossEyed]

Roethlisberger to leave hospital tomorrow

Gerry Dulac

6/14/2006

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be discharged tomorrow from Mercy Hospital, just three days after he was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused numerous facial and head injuries, a source who visited Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger has severe bruising and swelling in his face and neck area, but he has been speaking -- albeit softly and briefly -- to visitors. He was also fed soft foods such as yogurt and pudding today -- the first time he has been allowed to eat since the motorcycle he was operating slammed into the side of a car on Second Avenue at the 10th Street bridge intersection Monday morning.

Doctors said Roethlisberger broke portions of his upper and lower jar, but the third-year quarterback did not have his jaw wired shut, according to the source. Instead, titanium plates were inserted to help hold the jaw in place.

Roethlisberger sustained a broken nose and broke the orbital bone underneath his eye, the source said.

A press conference on Roethlisberger's condition will take place at 5 p.m. today at Mercy Hospital.

http://www.post-gazette.com

Truly amazing. Ben should consider himself a blessed man.

 

[MKB4®]

Big Ben In Fair Condition, Eating Soft Food

PITTSBURGH Doctors at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh say Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is doing well today.

Mercy Trauma Chief Doctor Larry Jones says a CT scan done on Roethlisberger today confirmed that he suffered no brain damage when he was in a motorcycle accident Monday.

Doctors also provided more information today on the seven hours of surgery done on Roethlisberger after the accident.

Doctors say titanium plates were used to repair his jaw fractures.

Roethlisberger's jaw is not wired shut and he is eating soft food.

Doctors say Roethlisberger is still in fair condition.

In addition to a broken jaw, the 24-year-old Super Bowl winning quarterback has a broken nose, mild concussion and cuts and bruises.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Roethlisberger could be released from the hospital as soon as tomorrow.

http://kdka.com

 

[Boltman]

I am glad Big Ben is OK. This article, however, seems to make his judgement look even more suspect than just riding without a helmet.

link

QB was warned he might be jeopardizing contractBy Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

Pittsburgh Steelers officials warned quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in writing last year that he might jeopardize portions of his contract, and could suffer financial implications, if he continued to ride a motorcycle.

League and team officials confirmed for ESPN.com on Tuesday night that the Steelers last year sent a letter to Roethlisberger's representatives stating their concerns and the possibility his contract could be affected if he was injured while riding a motorcycle. Agent Leigh Steinberg confirmed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers sent such a letter.

It is believed the letter was intended to serve dual purposes: To apprise Roethlisberger in writing of the team's stance on what it considered a perilous activity, and to place the club on more solid legal footing were the Steelers forced to try to recover prorated signing bonus money or even base salaries if the quarterback failed to fulfill his contract because of a motorcycle-related injury.

The contract Roethlisberger signed as the Steelers' first-round choice in the 2004 draft does not include language which specifically precludes the quarterback from riding a motorcycle. But the standard NFL contract, in general terms, prohibits players from engaging in off-field activities that pose "a significant risk of personal injury."

In the wake of a motorcycle accident last spring that sidelined Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow for the entire season with a serious knee injury, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher cautioned his quarterback about riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet. Roethlisberger said, however, that the activity alleviated stress and emphasized that he was a careful operator, and that he typically rode in groups.

Winslow's contract did stipulate he could not ride motorcycles, and his injury cost him millions of dollars in bonuses the team withheld and in incentives that he could not earn because of his inactivity.

The situation with Roethlisberger will likely be moot if he does not miss significant time with the facial injuries he suffered in Monday's accident. Steelers officials believe even more strongly now that Roethlisberger, who last season became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, will be sufficiently recovered in time to participate in most of training camp and to play in the season opener.

Even if Roethlisberger were sidelined for a prolonged period, it is not certain the Steelers, who have a long history of taking care of their players under the ownership of the Rooney family, would have attempted to recoup a prorated share of his signing bonus. The letter, however, might have provided more leverage in an arbitration action, had Roethlisberger defaulted on the contract.

In the wake of the Roethlisberger accident, some league teams are likely to become more specific in contractually forbidding players from engaging in certain activities.

Buffalo Bills safety Troy Vincent, the president of the NFL Players Association, said Tuesday that the union does not oppose teams using such specific language but noted it should be done on a case-by-case basis.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I am glad Big Ben is OK. This article, however, seems to make his judgement look even more suspect than just riding without a helmet.

link

QB was warned he might be jeopardizing contractBy Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

Pittsburgh Steelers officials warned quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in writing last year that he might jeopardize portions of his contract, and could suffer financial implications, if he continued to ride a motorcycle.

League and team officials confirmed for ESPN.com on Tuesday night that the Steelers last year sent a letter to Roethlisberger's representatives stating their concerns and the possibility his contract could be affected if he was injured while riding a motorcycle. Agent Leigh Steinberg confirmed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers sent such a letter.

It is believed the letter was intended to serve dual purposes: To apprise Roethlisberger in writing of the team's stance on what it considered a perilous activity, and to place the club on more solid legal footing were the Steelers forced to try to recover prorated signing bonus money or even base salaries if the quarterback failed to fulfill his contract because of a motorcycle-related injury.

The contract Roethlisberger signed as the Steelers' first-round choice in the 2004 draft does not include language which specifically precludes the quarterback from riding a motorcycle. But the standard NFL contract, in general terms, prohibits players from engaging in off-field activities that pose "a significant risk of personal injury."

In the wake of a motorcycle accident last spring that sidelined Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow for the entire season with a serious knee injury, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher cautioned his quarterback about riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet. Roethlisberger said, however, that the activity alleviated stress and emphasized that he was a careful operator, and that he typically rode in groups.

Winslow's contract did stipulate he could not ride motorcycles, and his injury cost him millions of dollars in bonuses the team withheld and in incentives that he could not earn because of his inactivity.

The situation with Roethlisberger will likely be moot if he does not miss significant time with the facial injuries he suffered in Monday's accident. Steelers officials believe even more strongly now that Roethlisberger, who last season became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, will be sufficiently recovered in time to participate in most of training camp and to play in the season opener.

Even if Roethlisberger were sidelined for a prolonged period, it is not certain the Steelers, who have a long history of taking care of their players under the ownership of the Rooney family, would have attempted to recoup a prorated share of his signing bonus. The letter, however, might have provided more leverage in an arbitration action, had Roethlisberger defaulted on the contract.

In the wake of the Roethlisberger accident, some league teams are likely to become more specific in contractually forbidding players from engaging in certain activities.

Buffalo Bills safety Troy Vincent, the president of the NFL Players Association, said Tuesday that the union does not oppose teams using such specific language but noted it should be done on a case-by-case basis.

I'm not a lawyer, but I know that this wouldn't "fly". One party can't sue the other party for breach of contract based on terms agreed to by the suing party after the time of contracting. It might scare Big Ben, but it shouldn't, and I don't see how they'd be able to win.Riding motorcycles might be considered dangerous, or it might not, but that letter is irrelevant IMO.

 

[thayman]

I am glad Big Ben is OK.  This article, however, seems to make his judgement look even more suspect than just riding without a helmet.

link

QB was warned he might be jeopardizing contractBy Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

Pittsburgh Steelers officials warned quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in writing last year that he might jeopardize portions of his contract, and could suffer financial implications, if he continued to ride a motorcycle.

League and team officials confirmed for ESPN.com on Tuesday night that the Steelers last year sent a letter to Roethlisberger's representatives stating their concerns and the possibility his contract could be affected if he was injured while riding a motorcycle. Agent Leigh Steinberg confirmed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Steelers sent such a letter.

It is believed the letter was intended to serve dual purposes: To apprise Roethlisberger in writing of the team's stance on what it considered a perilous activity, and to place the club on more solid legal footing were the Steelers forced to try to recover prorated signing bonus money or even base salaries if the quarterback failed to fulfill his contract because of a motorcycle-related injury.

The contract Roethlisberger signed as the Steelers' first-round choice in the 2004 draft does not include language which specifically precludes the quarterback from riding a motorcycle. But the standard NFL contract, in general terms, prohibits players from engaging in off-field activities that pose "a significant risk of personal injury."

In the wake of a motorcycle accident last spring that sidelined Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow for the entire season with a serious knee injury, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher cautioned his quarterback about riding a motorcycle, especially without a helmet. Roethlisberger said, however, that the activity alleviated stress and emphasized that he was a careful operator, and that he typically rode in groups.

Winslow's contract did stipulate he could not ride motorcycles, and his injury cost him millions of dollars in bonuses the team withheld and in incentives that he could not earn because of his inactivity.

The situation with Roethlisberger will likely be moot if he does not miss significant time with the facial injuries he suffered in Monday's accident. Steelers officials believe even more strongly now that Roethlisberger, who last season became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, will be sufficiently recovered in time to participate in most of training camp and to play in the season opener.

Even if Roethlisberger were sidelined for a prolonged period, it is not certain the Steelers, who have a long history of taking care of their players under the ownership of the Rooney family, would have attempted to recoup a prorated share of his signing bonus. The letter, however, might have provided more leverage in an arbitration action, had Roethlisberger defaulted on the contract.

In the wake of the Roethlisberger accident, some league teams are likely to become more specific in contractually forbidding players from engaging in certain activities.

Buffalo Bills safety Troy Vincent, the president of the NFL Players Association, said Tuesday that the union does not oppose teams using such specific language but noted it should be done on a case-by-case basis.

I'm not a lawyer, but I know that this wouldn't "fly". One party can't sue the other party for breach of contract based on terms agreed to by the suing party after the time of contracting. It might scare Big Ben, but it shouldn't, and I don't see how they'd be able to win.Riding motorcycles might be considered dangerous, or it might not, but that letter is irrelevant IMO.

I was always under the impression that this language existed to protect the team from a situation where Ben would be paralyzed or something, permanent. Incentive to keep players that teams have invested tons of cash in, from being elminated permanently for a non-football issue. I could be wrong, just how I always interpreted it.

 

[kevinray]

The Steelers punishing Ben is a non issue as far as I'm concerned. Its simply not in their nature to punish him for something like this especially since it was talked about between them before and they didn't forbid him from doing it. I think the letter was only sent to cover their bases in the event that he could never play again, or intentionally put himself at risk while trying to do things other then drive. If he were doing stunts then maybe, but not with something that was definitely an accident. The fans wouldn't approve and the Rooney’s have a history of being player friendly.