I know we have all probably heard enough about Ben Roethlisberger and his accident. For those who haven't...where have you been? Pittsburgh Steeler Quarterback (football) who was in a motorcycle accident without his helmet (the hot issue), messed up his face, lost some teeth, etc.
However, I think it is time for a little equal press.
First of all, he is a football player...a Football Player...a FOOTBALL PLAYER! A quarterback at that. His job is to stand in a pocket and try to get rid of a ball while 3, sometimes up to 8, really big guys try to pulverize him into the turf. The guy is not the patron saint of risk management.
I don't have any statistics, but I would suspect that Ben has a greater chance of having a career ending injury every time he puts on his football helmet than he does firing up his Hayabusa.
Secondly, I have heard a lot of arguments for why he shouldn't be riding motorcycles at all with all the money he is expected to make in the coming years playing football.
Absurd! I don't think he was riding his motorcycle because he was trying save money on gas. Nor do I think he was riding it because he didn't have any other mode of transportation. Nor was he riding because a motorcycle is a lot cheaper than a modest car.
The reason he was riding is because he loves it! He loves the feeling of freedom when he glides down the road...especially without a helmet. If anyone can afford to enjoy life, do the things one loves to do, it is Ben. He has made more money in his 24 years of life than you or I will make in our lifetimes, combined, times ten! He never has to step on to the football field again for the sake of money (unless he is a fool with what he has earned).
Of all the people in the world, he can afford to be a paraplegic...if we are talking about money!
And last I leave you with a thought. In a time when a lot of states are making stiffer penalties for not wearing seat belts (in our very safe Volvo's) or spending millions telling people they are cracking down on those who don't wear seat belts ("Click it. Or Ticket"), don't you think it is funny that several states have recently repealed their helmet laws (you don't have to wear a helmet) or are in the process of repealing? Pennsylvania, Ben's "accident" state repealed theirs in 2003. Isn't that funny?
Okay one more thought. Is it right that Ben is getting more bad press about this incident than all the football players that were arrested for DUI's in the last year... combined...times ten?
Okay, I am done...I would love to hear from you though.
