Posted on 06/12/2006 3:19:54 PM PDT by flixxx
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl championship, broke his jaw and nose in a motorcycle crash Monday in which he was not wearing a helmet.
Roethlisberger was in serious but stable condition Monday afternoon, said Dr. Larry Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital.
The player's agent, Leigh Steinberg, described the injuries to The Associated Press and said he did not know if there was further damage.
"He was talking to me before he left for the operating room," Jones said before the operation. "He's coherent. He's making sense. He knows what happened. He knows where he is. From that standpoint, he's very stable."
ESPN.com's John Clayton has confirmed a report that Roethlisberger also suffered a 9-inch laceration to the back of his head, lost teeth and has knee injuries from hitting the pavement. A plastic surgeon has been called in.
Roethlisberger's mother, Brenda, was crying as she arrived at the hospital. Roethlisberger's father and sister were also at the hospital.
Steelers president Art Rooney 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," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
What a fool. Lots of muscles and no brain.
This guy will need all their prayers. He may have injured his body, but the injury he has inflicted on his own mind and the hearts of his teamates is going to be even tougher to overcome.
This is the guy who said he is careful and rode in groups. There was no group with him that has been reported for this accident.
If you are going to say you ride in groups, ride in groups. Me? I would ride in the middle of the pack, as the front and rear are most dangerous.
I feel sorry for Ben, but his famous last words about riding without a helmet....ouch!!!! Pride cometh before a fall, as the Scriptures say.
Godspeed to your recovery man!
Ah, he will cam he has been hit harder than that while playing football....gotta' have that macho B.S. to make it in the NFL you know....to paraphrase all of the announcers on tv,....."welcome to the streets, rookie!" Somebody should buy that boy some training wheels and a helmet.
Ah, he will claim....
Michigan is trying to pass a no-helmet law. I believe Gov. Granholm was going to veto it. It drives me nuts when I go through other states and see cyclists without helmets on! Maybe Ben will change his mind and speak out in favor of helmets.
I rode a bike until I was around thirty. Then I came to my senses. God speed and heal.
"...Maybe Ben will change his mind and speak out in favor of helmets...."
Gary Busey did.
Ben... wear a helmet!
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