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Roethlisberger Issues Statement (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Joe Bryant
- Start date
nightshift
Footballguy
It probably was the fact that he was riding a Hayabusa that saved his butt. Most Harleys will not have the braking system of the Hayabusa. Although he did not have time to stop completely, he could slow it down to the point he survived.While it may have taken a face full of windsheild for Ben to learn, Ben's PR people have certainly learned from the Winslow famaly's bungled handling of the press after his accident.The Hiyabusa was given to Ben for promotional considerations. He did not actively go out and seek that particular bike.
He still has his Hogs. Just happened to be riding the rice burner when the little old lady pulled out in front of him.
massraider
Footballguy
This reminds me of Chris Rock's bit about people getting credit for stuff they are supposed to do.
Hey, Ben, way to step up! You've got my respect now, for figuring out that riding a motorcycle is dangerous.
Please. He didn't even say he was gonna stop riding.
Hey, Ben, way to step up! You've got my respect now, for figuring out that riding a motorcycle is dangerous.
Please. He didn't even say he was gonna stop riding.
Anyone else a little surpised the press let him slip out last night without a picture? J
Happy
Footballguy
His statements don't make sense
"I recognize that I have a responsibility to safeguard my health in the offseason so I can continue to lead our team effectively"
"I was confident in my ability to ride a motorcycle and simply believed such an accident would not happen to me. If I ever ride again, it certainly will be with a helmet."
Is he crazy or stupid? It wasn't the lack of helmet that was the issue. It was the riding a motorcycle that was the issue.
The helmet will help in a situation where you get a head injury. But what if he had broken both legs, broken his hip or had lost his throwing arm, or worse. He could have ruined his career with one accident, and he hasn't learned a thing. Everybody knows that riding motorcycles represents more risk than driving in a 3000 lbs. car because other drivers can't see you, you have much less physical protection (airbags, metal, etc.) from collisions, are more at risk to adverse road conditions, etc.
If he really cares about his career, his organization, his teammates, and his fans, he should have said "I will never ride a motorcycle again until I've retired from football"
Good statement to appease the fans, but in my book he hasn't learned his lesson.
"I recognize that I have a responsibility to safeguard my health in the offseason so I can continue to lead our team effectively"
"I was confident in my ability to ride a motorcycle and simply believed such an accident would not happen to me. If I ever ride again, it certainly will be with a helmet."
Is he crazy or stupid? It wasn't the lack of helmet that was the issue. It was the riding a motorcycle that was the issue.
The helmet will help in a situation where you get a head injury. But what if he had broken both legs, broken his hip or had lost his throwing arm, or worse. He could have ruined his career with one accident, and he hasn't learned a thing. Everybody knows that riding motorcycles represents more risk than driving in a 3000 lbs. car because other drivers can't see you, you have much less physical protection (airbags, metal, etc.) from collisions, are more at risk to adverse road conditions, etc.
If he really cares about his career, his organization, his teammates, and his fans, he should have said "I will never ride a motorcycle again until I've retired from football"
Good statement to appease the fans, but in my book he hasn't learned his lesson.
bostonfred
Footballguy
Baby... Roeth?
Raskell5
Footballguy
Best post yet.This reminds me of Chris Rock's bit about people getting credit for stuff they are supposed to do.
Hey, Ben, way to step up! You've got my respect now, for figuring out that riding a motorcycle is dangerous.
Please. He didn't even say he was gonna stop riding.
mad sweeney
Footballguy
This reminds me of Chris Rock's bit about people getting credit for stuff they are supposed to do.
Hey, Ben, way to step up! You've got my respect now, for figuring out that riding a motorcycle is dangerous.
Please. He didn't even say he was gonna stop riding.
But it's still a better statement than a TO or Porter style one where he "regrets that some of things that may have happened may have caused others to be upset". At least he's accepting that what HE DID was foolish, rather than skirt the issue and avoid reponsibility.As for who wrote it? It seems very lucid and well thought out, especially for a guy who has to be out of his mind with pain and painkillers. But who cares.
ETA: If he ever does ride a motorcycle again during his football career, then he gets an instant Nate Newton Repetitive Stupidity Award. Because if this incident shows anything, it's that no matter how good YOU are, you're only as safe as the next idiot on the road. And he's gotta start thinking that he may be using up all his luck very early in his career.
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BlueOnion
Footballguy
actually best post I have seen in this thread.Image is everything in the NFL. To think a professional football player would have any input on this delicate (PR) situation is just naive.What is the alternative:
Steelers Organization & Big Ben's Agent - "So Big Ben, would you like for us to write your statement for you? We spend a lot of money on teams of lawyers and PR specialist to specifically handle these types of situations. What do you think?
Big Ben - "I appreciate it. But I think I can handle this. How hard could it possibly be?"
Steelers Organization & Big Ben's Agent - "Don't sweat it dude, you'll be fine. Good luck and don't forget to wear that helmet."
To actually insiniuate Big Ben did write his own statement would be an insult to Big Ben's common sense, now that I think about it.
Silver & Black
Footballguy
Don't release a statement this quickly. Don't talk about wearing a helmet. Act defiant about a helmet like he did last year. Don't acknowledge the role you play with your team and accept the fact it's not just about you, don't write it well and wind up sounding like T.O.... That would be for starters that lots of people might do in this situation that wouldn't earn a "well done".
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Good statement, regardless of who actually penned it.
Now let's move on to football...
Now let's move on to football...
Exactly what I was thinking while reading it. A perfect PR statement, which means he had 0% to do with it. Oh well, as mentioned by everyone, just glad he's OK. Hopefully he lamenates this statement, keeps it in his wallet, and reads it everyday and remembers how close his ego came to writing a very un-cashable check.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Capella's probably right, I'm sure he didn't "write" the statement. However, from what I know of Ben, the guy seems to know the right things to say and when to say them, so I am sure that the sentiment and the tone of the statement are his, if not the precise wording.
For those of you who insist that Ben had little to do with the statement issued, I offer up a previously issued statement by Ben that was from his days at Miami of Ohio. It was issued following a 33-7 loss to LSU and was printed in the newspaper in Baton Rouge. I've always liked him since then...
"Coach Saban,
This is Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback at Miami. I hope you get to read this ... I wanted to first and foremost congratulate you and the team on the game on Saturday. You guys are the best team that I have ever played against and I think you guys will go a long way this year ... Your defense was very confusing and had us on the run all game. But that is not the main reason that I am writing you this e-mail, I really was impressed with your team after the game. They had the most class out of any team that I have ever played against in high school or college and I commend you for that. Many of the players, including your big name players, came up to me after the game and congratulated me and told us good luck and have a safe trip home. I just want to commend you and your team for all of the class you have ... best of luck and win the SEC.
Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback
Miami (Ohio) University"
"Coach Saban,
This is Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback at Miami. I hope you get to read this ... I wanted to first and foremost congratulate you and the team on the game on Saturday. You guys are the best team that I have ever played against and I think you guys will go a long way this year ... Your defense was very confusing and had us on the run all game. But that is not the main reason that I am writing you this e-mail, I really was impressed with your team after the game. They had the most class out of any team that I have ever played against in high school or college and I commend you for that. Many of the players, including your big name players, came up to me after the game and congratulated me and told us good luck and have a safe trip home. I just want to commend you and your team for all of the class you have ... best of luck and win the SEC.
Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback
Miami (Ohio) University"
Mystery Achiever
Footballguy
i'm glad he's okay. i'm glad he is smart enough to figure out on his own or with counsel that a quick statement was the right thing to do. but, this is as much credit as i'm giving him. when you have an image, a potentially pissed-off employer, and endorsements, this is what you do. whether you mean what you're saying or not. i 'm not saying he doesn't mean it. i'm just saying lets not get carried away. this is std operating procedure for a person with a brain and a conscience. (so no t.o. comparisons 
)
)
Frank Black
Footballguy
I could not have said it any better.
Frank Black
Footballguy
I am an attorney who has crafted many statements for clients over the years. There isn't scientific proof here, but from experience, I can smell an attorney or publicist statement from a mile away.
Frank Black
Footballguy
Am I saying that Ben doesn't agree with many of the things in his statement? Not necessarily. But does the statement TRULY, 100% reflect the way he really feels about things? Probably not. As one who has crafted many statements over the years from people, I can say from experience that if you let people give their own, unedited statement that is not filtered by professionals such as attorneys or PR people, you will get a considerably different result from the kind of statement that we see here. Sure, he has to ultimately sign off on the statement, but let's not live in a fantasy world to pretend that the PR outfit or an attorney wasn't the mastermind behind the statement.
Winston Smith
Footballguy
Thanks Winston. You're an attorney, right? You guys make a living wordsmithing messages and knowing how to manage them. It's money well earned.JFair enough. Though I disagree with you a bit, I agree the message was goodThat's what I'm saying Winston. TO and his people had multiple chances to do statements like this last year with his troubles and never got it remotely as right as what Roethlisberger issued here. PR is not as easy as it looks in my opinion.I guess I should rephrase. How would any rational person with an agent and/or a publicist handle it? Joe, if TO had went over the handlebars, don't you think he would have issued a similar statement?Don't release a statement this quickly. Don't talk about wearing a helmet. Act defiant about a helmet like he did last year. Don't acknowledge the role you play with your team and accept the fact it's not just about you, don't write it well and wind up sounding like T.O.... That would be for starters that lots of people might do in this situation that wouldn't earn a "well done".
J
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
Anyone with half a brain knows that Big Ben didn't actually write the statement. The point is that the statement is timely and well done, and Big Ben actually gave the okay for it to be released. I agree that it seems like a no-brainer, but we see these things fumbled all the time, so apparently it's not as easy as it seems.
I (gulp) agree with Joe.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
This is what I'm talking about. He's a class guy with a lot of respect for the game and the fans. I'm sure he wanted to issue this statement and the sentiment behind it is largely his. I have no doubt that someone penned it for him, but who cares, really?
Winston Smith
Footballguy
I like this post.It has nothing to do with graduating from LSU. At all. I mean it
Ditkaless Wonders
Footballguy
I have no doubt that Ben did not write the statement. It reeks of a P.R. release. That said, so what? It was run by him, approved by him as going out in his name, it is attributed to him, and he will be responsible for living up to it.
Nothing wrong with having a well crafted statement released on one's behalf, particularly when it will be highly scrutinized and dissected. Sure, spontaneous and from the heart is great, but given the attention this was sure to garner, and the fact that he is the face (however disfigured) of the Steeler organization makes the professional crafting prudent.
Nothing wrong with having a well crafted statement released on one's behalf, particularly when it will be highly scrutinized and dissected. Sure, spontaneous and from the heart is great, but given the attention this was sure to garner, and the fact that he is the face (however disfigured) of the Steeler organization makes the professional crafting prudent.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Ditkaless Wonders
Footballguy
If I were Roethlisberger I would wear a Bill Cowher mask and a helmut to my first post op press conference. He could then say how anxious he is for the disfiguring swelling to go down.
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Mystery Achiever
Footballguy
exacttly
John Mamula
Moderator
John Mamula
Moderator
I have to say I am a little surprised at Joe's naivete and how quickly he was to defend Ben. Everyone is glad Ben is OK, but to think that he wasn't just given a piece of paper crafted by his agent/PR person is ridiculously naive.
I too would think that Joe would have a better understanding of how people who are represented works.
I too would think that Joe would have a better understanding of how people who are represented works.
RedRaiders
Mr. +EV
Roethlisberger missed a golden chance to push the stereotype of crappy female drivers and also push for senior citizens to have their licenses revoked. I mean, she's making a left and completely missed him coming. He should have at least slipped a backhanded comment about that in there somewhere.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
I can't figure out why it even matters if he wrote it or not. Part of being a professional is surrounding yourself with people who can guide you in the right direction, and if he has excellent PR people to support him, so what?
I wouldn't think he did anything other than granting his OK for the wording, but I'm just as sure that he's expressed those thoughts and those are his feelings about everything. The message is simply worded better than he probably could've done it on his own.
I mean, everyone loved the ad Reggie Bush took out in the newspaper, but did people really believe that was his idea? Just like this, he probably has PR people that told him it would be a great idea for him to do and all he had to do was give his OK.
Now, stay off the damn bike!
I wouldn't think he did anything other than granting his OK for the wording, but I'm just as sure that he's expressed those thoughts and those are his feelings about everything. The message is simply worded better than he probably could've done it on his own.
I mean, everyone loved the ad Reggie Bush took out in the newspaper, but did people really believe that was his idea? Just like this, he probably has PR people that told him it would be a great idea for him to do and all he had to do was give his OK.
Now, stay off the damn bike!
Delusions Of Adequacy
Footballguy
His statement, regardless of who wrote it, will probably save some lives. Is that not the important thing?
What are you talking about?This was well done. I think that's how I started this post.
We talked about others like Winslow's camp with the Postons and T.O. with Rosenhaus where it wasn't as well done. What part of that is hard to understand?
J
Exactly. I doubt anyone in the world thinks Roethlisberger actually wrote out the recent statement. But it's a statement representing him that he endorses. Not sure how that is confusing or naive to some people.
J
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Agreed.J
John Mamula
Moderator
So your "well done" was to his PR rep / agent?Come on.
"Well done" to Roethlisberger for issuing the statement. That's how it works. When you issue a statement to the press, it doesn't matter who wrote the words, what matters is that you issued it. Whether it's Bill Gates, Goerge Bush, Ben Roesthlisberger or you. That's kind of why PR people are employed.
When Ben Roethlisberger issues a statement, whatever is in that statement is the responsibility of Ben Roethlisberger. Not his agent, not his PR guy, not his step mom or anyone else. When Ben Roethlisbeger releases something to the press with the preface of:
That is on HIM. He is 100% responsible for everything his agent or PR guy writes that Roethlisberger endorses. For good or bad, when he issues stuff that says "Ben Roethlisberger releases a statement" the ultimate responsibility falls on Roethlisberger.
J
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massraider
Footballguy
I agree it doesn't matter, because it came "from Ben" (his people, whoever....).I wonder if the statement read, "I have no plans to discontinue riding a two-wheeled conveyance at this time", if Ben would catch a break from these same folks because this statement obviously did not come from his lips.
My guess is probably not. He'd get bashed mercilessly, and if he said, "Wasn't me, it was my PR guy", he'd get it even worse.
I would love to release a statement if I ever made a terrible life decision.
I want to hear it from Ben himself.
Media: "Ben, how are you feeling?"
Ben: "MMMM MMMM MMMM."
Media: "You really should have been wearing a helmet if you felt you really needed to get on that bike."
Ben: "mmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmm mm m mmmm!"
Media: "Will you ever get on a bike again and, if you do, will you wear a helmet?"
Ben: "mmmmm wind free in hair MMMM MMMMM."
I want to hear it from Ben himself.
Media: "Ben, how are you feeling?"
Ben: "MMMM MMMM MMMM."
Media: "You really should have been wearing a helmet if you felt you really needed to get on that bike."
Ben: "mmmmm mmmmm mmmmmmm mmmmm mm m mmmm!"
Media: "Will you ever get on a bike again and, if you do, will you wear a helmet?"
Ben: "mmmmm wind free in hair MMMM MMMMM."
