expensive accident

An Expensive Accident

I hope Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, seriously injured today while

riding his motorcycle without a helmet, is okay. Although I must say,

what an idiot.

Last year, when Cleveland Brown Kellen Winslow was injured in a

motorcycle crash, it was widely believed that he'd forfeited his bonus

money under the NFL Standard Player Contract "other activities"

clause. That clause bars players from engaging in activities other

than football "which may involve a significant risk of personal

injury". It will be interesting to see whether, if the injuries cost

Roesthlisberger significant playing time or even end his career, the

Steelers will be as generous as the Chicago Bulls were when they

honored a year of Jay Williams' contract even though that player's

motorcycle-riding breached the equivalent NBA contract provision. What

may set Roethlisberger apart? On the one hand, unlike Winslow and

Williams, Ben wasn't wearing a helmet, which is the equivalent of

playing Russian Roulette after putting six slugs in your revolver. On

the other hand, unlike Williams and Winslow, Ben has led a (pro) team

to a championship.

I bet Roethlisberger wants to eat these words, from May 2005:

Roethlisberger explained that he does not consider the way he rides

his Harley sans helmet as taking much risk.

"It's one of those things, where he talked about being a risk-taker

and I'm not really a risk-taker, I'm pretty conservative and laid

back," Roethlisberger said. "So the big thing is just be careful

and that's what we do. I think every person that rides is careful.

That's the biggest thing, I'll just continue to be careful. I told

him we never ride alone we always ride in a group of people, and I

think that makes it more safe."

Update (June 15, 10:19 pm): Out of the hospital, Ben is all apologies.

-- Posted by Geoffrey Rapp @ 6/12/2006 02:12:00 PM -- Comments (11) --