On Ben Roethlisberger’s official Web site, there are a handful of photos of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback astride a gleaming motorcycle.
And there’s no helmet.
Roethlisberger’s affinity for big, powerful cycles and his stubborn refusal to wear a helmet while riding have become part of the NFL star’s swashbuckling image.
But that cavalier attitude appeared to contribute to the injuries the 24-year-old suffered Monday when his Suzuki Hayabusa — the company calls it the world’s fastest bike for legal street riding — collided with a Chrysler New Yorker on a Pittsburgh street as the Steeler headed home from a radio interview.
He was not wearing a helmet, which is optional under Pennsylvania law.
The accident is one of several in recent years involving high-profile athletes, incling the 2003 accident involving then-Bulls guard Jay Williams, who crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his left leg. He has yet to play again in the NBA.
Just four months after becoming the youngest quarterback to lead a team to a Super Bowl championship, Roethlisberger underwent seven hours of surgery at a Pittsburgh hospital to repair a broken jaw and nose and sew up a reported nine-inch gash on his head that left a distinct pool of blood at the accident scene.
Four doctors operated on Roethlisberger and “all of the fractures were successfully repaired,” Dr. Harry W. Sell, chairman of the surgery department at Mercy Hospital, told reporters late Monday night.
Dr. Daniel Pituch, who led the team, said Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition, and doctors were aware of no other serious injuries.
A source told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Roethlisberger had suffered “severe” damage to both knees in the accident, but that was apparently limited to the skin of the knees and not internal damage. Roethlisberger also lost an unspecified number of teeth.
His broken jaw could need as much as two months to heal, possibly leaving Roethlisberger unprepared to start the 2006 season, which opens for the Steelers Sept. 7 against the Dolphins.
“He was talking to me before he left for the operating room,” said Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital. “He’s coherent. He’s making sense. He knows what happened. He knows where he is. From that standpoint, he’s very stable.”
Roethlisberger was scheduled to film a national television ad for Campbell’s Chunky Soup with his stepmother, Brenda, and some of his Steelers teammates Monday. Instead his stepmother could be seen crying as she arrived at the hospital.
The collective bargaining agreement that governs contracts between players and NFL teams provides for a standard clause that prohibits players from engaging in activity other than football “which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.”
If a player is unable to play because of a non-football injury or illness, the club is not obligated to pay his salary. And if a player misses an entire season, his contract is “tolled,” meaning that the missed year is not counted toward fulfilling the term of the deal. Further, if a player has received an upfront bonus, the team can seek to recover a prorated portion of the bonus. However, none of those contract implications have been raised concerning Roethlisberger.
Steelers President Art Rooney II said the team was “encouraged by the early reports from the medical team” at the hospital. “I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery.”
The accident occurred when Roethlisberger’s motorcycle collided with the Chrysler, which was driven by a 62-year-old woman. The car had made a left turn and Roethlisberger, unable to stop, struck the passenger’s side. Witnesses said he flew over the handlebars of his motorcycle, hit the windshield and then hit his head on the pavement.
Witness Sandra Ford was waiting at a bus stop when she said she saw the motorcycle approach. Seconds later, she said she heard a crash, saw the motorcyclist in the air and ran toward the crash scene.
“He wasn’t moving and I was afraid that he had died. … He wasn’t really speaking. He seemed dazed but he was resisting the effort to make him stay down,” said Ford, who didn’t realize the motorcyclist was Roethlisberger.
Police did not release the name of the driver and charges had not been filed.
Roethlisberger’s motorcycle riding drew attention during last off-season after Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. suffered shoulder and knee injuries in a cycle accident that cost him the 2005 season.
After Winslow was hurt, Steelers coach Bill Cowher talked to Roethlisberger about riding without a helmet. While the quarterback didn’t want to openly defy the coach, he didn’t take Cowher’s advice either.
“That’s just the way it goes,” Roethlisberger said last summer when asked about his bareheaded riding. “I just want to ride.”
Cycle of pain
Some recent motorcycle accidents involving high-profile athletes:
Kellen Winslow Jr.
In 2005 the Cleveland tight end sustained internal injuries and damage to his right shoulder and right knee. He missed the season.
Jay Williams
In 2003 the Bulls guard crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments and damaging nerves in his leg. Hasn’t played in NBA since.
Dario Franchitti
In 2003 the Indy Racing League driver broke his back and missed several races, including Indy 500.
Aaron Rowand
In 2002 the White Sox outfielder broke two ribs and his left shoulder blade in a dirt-bike accident.
Jeff Kent
In 2002 the San Francisco Giant broke his wrist during spring training. He at first said that he had been hurt while washing his truck.
