EDITORIAL – Recklessberger, overcooked

The world stopped for members of the Steeler Nation yesterday. If you don’t know what we’re… The world stopped for members of the Steeler Nation yesterday. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you probably live under a rock. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was seriously injured when his motorcycle collided with a car on Second Avenue Monday morning.

Roethlisberger suffered multiple facial and head injuries, lost most of his teeth, broke his jaw and injured his knees when he was thrown from his bike onto the windshield of the car with which he collided. After seven hours of surgery, he was in stable but serious condition.

The youngest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl was riding without a helmet and, according to KDKA news, without a license. Allegedly, Roethlisberger had a learner’s permit that expired in March 2006, but he failed to obtain a license.

But back to the helmet. In 2003, Pennsylvania repealed its helmet law replacing compulsory helmet-wearing with an optional usage for licensed drivers over the age of 21 who have passed a test. Wearing a helmet is just common sense, and although the law now gives people the right to choose, Roethlisberger doesn’t even meet the criteria to make that choice if he is found not to have a license. In a profession where your body is your livelihood, it just makes sense to protect it. Even if you aren’t a professional athlete, you should act with caution.

Some enthusiasts argue that wearing a helmet is dangerous for riders because it reduces visibility and can possibly increase injuries in some situations. Wearing a seatbelt is equally capable of causing injury in accidents, but it’s still a law and it saves more lives than it takes away.

License and helmet issues aside, the conditions surrounding Roethlisberger’s accident negate comments he made in a July 2005 interview with ESPN’s Andrea Kremer.

“I think it can be a risk. It depends on how you ride. I don’t ride a sport bike … but when you are riding a Harley or a Chopper and you’re riding with a group of people and you’re not on the highway and you’re cruising, you’re relaxing. I don’t think it’s as much of a risk as people make it out to be.”

Roethlisberger was alone at 11:15 Monday morning on his Suzuki Hayabusa, a bike that can reach speeds of 189 mph. This bike isn’t designed just to “cruise around in.”

Big Ben could also be in breach of a clause in his contract that says players injured in non-football activities who are unable to meet contractual obligations — like training, practice, games — could have to return monies paid in bonuses

We don’t wish harm on anyone, but this situation reeks of poor judgment. There are also issues of Roethlisberger’s role-model status. Whether he desires that status or not, he is a beloved member of a Super Bowl-winning team in a town that has very little to cling to. People are watching him and possibly mimicking his actions. Ben probably doesn’t want to hear that some kid took his lead, decided not to wear a helmet, wrecked his bike and died.

It’s sad that it takes the injury of a high-profile person to increase awareness of motorcycle safety. We wish Ben a full recovery and hope that he’s able to use this experience and his status to raise awareness about safety. After all, we’re ready for number six.