Breaking NFL news.

[87manche]

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9356067/detail.html#
I know there's a few other Steelers fans here.
After all the people that told him to park that hting, this happens.

[RichP]

Everybody to their own choice, helmetless is better from an insurance point of view, less long term vegetable/spinal injury care because you usually die up front. Sorry, I have no sympathy for riding w/o a helmet and protective clothes, as soon as I had kids and realized how much they depended on me I parked mine which was a tough thing because I literally lived for riding. I hope he's OK and not damaged for life, don't know if he has family, for their sake I hope he's ok...

[Jeff in VA]

Let's go Penguins........

(I say it every year, usually right after they loose in the first round of the playoff season)

Seriously tho, that sucks.

Jeff

[RyanM]

damnnn, doubt he'll be ready for preseason

[Darthrider]

The Doc just said his knees are shot, probably career ending.

[red91]

I'd bet there is something in his contract strictly prohibiting his doing something like that just in case this happened.


Hope he has a hell of an insurance policy through LLoyds of London.

[TRNDRVR]

This couldn't have happened in January? :dunno:

[IntrepidXJ]

The Doc just said his knees are shot, probably career ending.

well.....at least he can say that wearing a helmet would not have saved his career :confused1

[red91]

He should have taken Bradshaws advise...

"ride it when you retire."

[87manche]

The Doc just said his knees are shot, probably career ending.
I think his knee "injuries" are mostly skin related, some road rash. I've been listening to the NFL radio on my Sirius and that seems to be the word.
Broken jaw, broken sinus/nose, missing teeth, minor knee injuries.
I don't care if he's ugly, just so long as he can play. Apparently the majority of the surgery today has been facial.
Totally sucks, he was just on NFL radio this morning, I listened to the interview on my way to work.

[kunaji]

He should have taken Bradshaws advise...

"ride it when you retire."

Why? Because Bradshaw said not to ride and an accident happened? I guess he shouldn't drive a car either then because he could get in an accident. Something tells me Ben knew what the consequences of his actions could be, but decided the risk was worth it to him. Just because he's a sports star does not mean that his recreation/form of transportation has to be decided for him. It's a shame if it ends his career while he so young but it was his choice to make.

[RedHeep]

Why? Because Bradshaw said not to ride and an accident happened? I guess he shouldn't drive a car either then because he could get in an accident. Something tells me Ben knew what the consequences of his actions could be, but decided the risk was worth it to him. Just because he's a sports star does not mean that his recreation/form of transportation has to be decided for him. It's a shame if it ends his career while he so young but it was his choice to make.

I agree. I think helmet laws and seat belt laws are unconstitutional. Would I wear them? Absolutely. His choice to make as a free citizen of this country, regardless of his profession.

The thing that pisses me off is that they have the talent to make millions playing a game for a living and don't appreciate the position that they're in. They spend more on taxes in a year than what I get paid in a year, but feel that their profession and wealth allows them to ignore the risks involved with such actions.

[Bent]

The thing that pisses me off is that they have the talent to make millions playing a game for a living and don't appreciate the position that they're in. They spend more on taxes in a year than what I get paid in a year, but feel that their profession and wealth allows them to ignore the risks involved with such actions.

Me thinks it's an age thing.

[Roxtar]

Why? Because Bradshaw said not to ride and an accident happened? I guess he shouldn't drive a car either then because he could get in an accident. Something tells me Ben knew what the consequences of his actions could be, but decided the risk was worth it to him. Just because he's a sports star does not mean that his recreation/form of transportation has to be decided for him. It's a shame if it ends his career while he so young but it was his choice to make.The problem with that thinking is this.
He is on a team. His actions effect other people's lives.
That team represents a city. The people of that city pay large sums of money to watch and cheer for that team.
Business descisions; draft picks, trades, etc are made based on him being healthy. Obviously, things such as injuries, auto accidents, and other things happen but teams try to avoid these as much as possible by putting limits on athletes personal "freedoms".
Here in Chicago we had the same thing happen when Jason Williams, the number one draft pick, had his career ended in a motorcycle crash.

[IntrepidXJ]

....but in the end....it's just a silly little game anyways :)

[kunaji]

The problem with that thinking is this.
He is on a team. His actions effect other people's lives.
That team represents a city. The people of that city pay large sums of money to watch and cheer for that team.
Business descisions; draft picks, trades, etc are made based on him being healthy. Obviously, things such as injuries, auto accidents, and other things happen but teams try to avoid these as much as possible by putting limits on athletes personal "freedoms".
Here in Chicago we had the same thing happen when Jason Williams, the number one draft pick, had his career ended in a motorcycle crash.

So you're saying that if the Steelers wanted him to walk around in a bubble wrap suit everywhere because motorized transportation is dangerous he should do so? I won't argue that the team has a high stake in his staying uninjured though. If he agreed to not ride his motorcycle in his contract that's a different story though. No matter how much a team has invested in a player in time and money, they will always move on to another player eventually anyways. No one person can be attributed to the teams success. Look at the Packers. Brett Favre is an awesome quarterback and yet his team sucked last year for reasons that were out of his hands.

[Roxtar]

So you're saying that if the Steelers wanted him to walk around in a bubble wrap suit everywhere because motorized transportation is dangerous he should do so? I won't argue that the team has a high stake in his staying uninjured though. If he agreed to not ride his motorcycle in his contract that's a different story though. No matter how much a team has invested in a player in time and money, they will always move on to another player eventually anyways. No one person can be attributed to the teams success. Look at the Packers. Brett Favre is an awesome quarterback and yet his team sucked last year for reasons that were out of his hands.Telling a guy you have a $50,000,000 stake in to not ride a motorcycle without a helmet is not exactly out of line and equating that to living in a bubble is stupid.
I've said it before; tempting fate is one thing. Kicking fate in the nuts and calling it's mother a whore is just plain foolish.

[RedHeep]

The problem with that thinking is this.
He is on a team. His actions effect other people's lives.
That team represents a city. The people of that city pay large sums of money to watch and cheer for that team.
Business descisions; draft picks, trades, etc are made based on him being healthy. Obviously, things such as injuries, auto accidents, and other things happen but teams try to avoid these as much as possible by putting limits on athletes personal "freedoms".
Here in Chicago we had the same thing happen when Jason Williams, the number one draft pick, had his career ended in a motorcycle crash.

Sure, but the problem with that thinking is that, in the end, most employees are working for some sort of "team". If my wife is sick, the accounting firm suffers, yet she can go skydiving if she wants to. You can't place restrictions on someone's life because of the financial ramifications of his/her actions.

I'm not saying it wasn't stupid, because it was. I'm saying he has the right to do what every other citizen does regardless of his profession.

[Ramsey]

Does she have a 5million$(or whatever rediculous amount it is) a year contract?

[RedHeep]

It doesn't matter how much she gets paid. It doesn't matter how much he gets paid. If he is not contractually forbidden to ride a motorcycle, he may do so, as can anyone else. When I signed a contract to be in the Marines, I agreed to certain stipulations. Can't do drugs. Have to wear certain safety equipment when I ride a motorcycle. If I don't follow the rules, I'm out.

This isn't a case of Ben violating his contract. If it was so important to the Steelers that he be safe, they could have pursued the same clause that Kellen Winslow had in his contract. They chose not to. The organization could be just as at fault for allowing him on his hayabusa in the first place.

Again, not saying he wasn't stupid for riding in downtown pittsburgh without a helmet. I just think the arguement that he's a millionaire and a football player shouldn't be a reason to chastise him for something millions of other americans do everyday.

[Roxtar]

It doesn't matter how much she gets paid. It doesn't matter how much he gets paid. If he is not contractually forbidden to ride a motorcycle, he may do so, as can anyone else. When I signed a contract to be in the Marines, I agreed to certain stipulations. Can't do drugs. Have to wear certain safety equipment when I ride a motorcycle. If I don't follow the rules, I'm out.

This isn't a case of Ben violating his contract. If it was so important to the Steelers that he be safe, they could have pursued the same clause that Kellen Winslow had in his contract. They chose not to. The organization could be just as at fault for allowing him on his hayabusa in the first place.

Again, not saying he wasn't stupid for riding in downtown pittsburgh without a helmet. I just think the arguement that he's a millionaire and a football player shouldn't be a reason to chastise him for something millions of other americans do everyday.The difference between your wife's situation and an NFL quarterback isn't the money as much as the replacability.
Your wife may be very good at what she does but, in the end, she can be replaced somewhat easily.
There are a very, very, limited amount of people on this earth who can do what Ben Roethleswhateverhisnameis does. That's why he gets paid what he does. That's why he has a higher responsibility to his team and the fans of his team. That's also why his employer has every right to tell him he's not allowed to jump out of airplanes or take other foolish risks with his health.

[RedHeep]

That's also why his employer has every right to tell him he's not allowed to jump out of airplanes or take other foolish risks with his health.

Agree'd. Why aren't the Steelers in the headlines for being foolish and taking risks?

I hate that we, myself included, feel so connected to the sports teams that we root for that those athletes become role models and put on that pedestal. When they fail us, we feel wronged. What we perceive as ours, like the Rooney's 5 million they pay him, isn't really ours.

Tony Stewart owns a Lamborghini that does 200 mph and is literally the one person that particular team cannot do without, but no one tells him not to drive it.

[87manche]

the NFL does have "risky behavior" clauses in every contract. They don't forbid actions, but if a player is injured due to a risky activity then the team is no longer obligated to the contract, and can seek damages. including the repayment of bonuses and contract money. SO even though the Steelers can't tell him not to ride a bike, they have put financial ramifications in place, and it takes a foolish person to risk a 5 million a year deal.

[LS1Jeeper]

Big deal another dumbass riding with out a helmet ...thats what happens doesn't matter who you are....

[0313]

Big deal another dumbass riding with out a helmet ...thats what happens doesn't matter who you are....

I agree with you.

It was probably his fault anyways, he could have killed the lil old lady he hit. People worry too much about sports anyways. Nothing like paying people way too damn much because they can throw a ball, hit a ball or dribble. The sports have become to easy now anyways, they need to make them harder. For football they need to make the field into a big "V" with the 50 yard line in the bottom of it and make the ball 5 times bigger. Basketball needs to raise the hoop 10 feet, weigh the ball down 10 lbs and make the court sticky.

So what if another football player cant ever play football again. Oh no, he might have to get an honest paying job? Then they cant play who has the bigger contract game? Good riddance.

[Roxtar]

I agree with you.

It was probably his fault anyways, he could have killed the lil old lady he hit. People worry too much about sports anyways. Nothing like paying people way too damn much because they can throw a ball, hit a ball or dribble. The sports have become to easy now anyways, they need to make them harder. For football they need to make the field into a big "V" with the 50 yard line in the bottom of it and make the ball 5 times bigger. Basketball needs to raise the hoop 10 feet, weigh the ball down 10 lbs and make the court sticky.

So what if another football player cant ever play football again. Oh no, he might have to get an honest paying job? Then they cant play who has the bigger contract game? Good riddance.Still bitter about Lance Armstrong, huh?:D

[0313]

Still bitter about Lance Armstrong, huh?:D


He advertised for Subaru. Enough said. :D

[Roxtar]

He advertised for Subaru. Enough said. :DBeating the French IN France covers all sins.

[Bent]

Half of this thread is the voice of naivety, the guy kicked fate in the nuts and got smacked for it.

[LS1Jeeper]

Beating the French IN France covers all sins.

x6 :shocked:

[RedHeep]

Beating the French IN France covers all sins.

Boy does it piss the french off when americans win that race.

[red91]

Beating the French IN France covers all sins.

I'm pretty sure that has happened to just about everyone OUTSIDE of France.

It can't possibly be that difficult.

[0313]

Beating the French IN France covers all sins.

Thats the only good thing about it.

[5-90]

Yeah - I'm a little tired of hearing of overpaid mastodons running about, just because they can play a physical game (I hesitate to call them all "athletes" - an athlete is a physical generalist. Someone who can successfully run a decathlon is an athlete.)

If his contract isn't up, I think it possible that he should be sued for breach - a potentially disabling injury as a result of an off-hours activity, from which he was told to refrain.

As far as making "sports" harder, I've got my ideas. If we're going to pay these people millions, then they should have to fill out a "next of kin" blank on their application/contract/whatever, and have a very real risk of dying on the field. Maybe I'm just cranky, but there's something significantly wrong with someone making more money in a year than I do in 30 or so - without an education, and only working on week-ends (not counting "practise" and "training.")

If we can afford to pay sports players so damn much, why don't soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines make more? Seems to me they're well worth it.

And no, I'm not bitter about Lance Armstrong. I, honestly, don't even care, and he's a bicyclist, not an athlete (unless he's hidden physical prowess from the media, but I don't watch much news. Too damn depressing.)

I know it's not my money - I don't buy tickets to these games, but it irritates me nonetheless. What public service or benefit to the body politic do they provide, save entertainment (and damn little of that?)

Besides, after listening to a few interviews with these cyphers, I realise that many of them would make Popeye the sailor sound downright literate and articulate. And we think of these fools as heroes?

Never has Gil's sig been more fitting than on this thread. I'd forgotten I'd said that, but it's nice to see someone else take it to heart.

5-90

[red91]

Whats even better is he doesn't have a VALID Penn st. motorcycle license...

:D


all that money doesn't buy intelligence.


Terry Bradshaw for quaterback this year....at least he's relatively smart.

[Ramsey]

All of us from Shreveport are;)

[mdl]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8075272567

[Roxtar]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8075272567
Too much funnay

[steel58ers]

Steelers fan here,, I have to agree he did kick fate, just as any 23 year old does. He wont be the last to do it im sure..

[Sarge]

If his contract isn't up, I think it possible that he should be sued for breach - a potentially disabling injury as a result of an off-hours activity, from which he was told to refrain.

5-90

Actually his agent has already made the comment that the team could try to sue him for breach of contract but since the contract doesn't specifically call out motorcycles and/or equipment to wear while riding they would loose. Several teams do call out specifically that sort of thing.

Life is dangerous. He could have suffered the same injuries crossing the street. How we each live our life is up to each of us.

Sarge

[5-90]

Actually his agent has already made the comment that the team could try to sue him for breach of contract but since the contract doesn't specifically call out motorcycles and/or equipment to wear while riding they would loose. Several teams do call out specifically that sort of thing.

Life is dangerous. He could have suffered the same injuries crossing the street. How we each live our life is up to each of us.

Sarge

No argument, but I've also known people to get A15'd for getting bad sunburns (bad enough to impair their ability to either do their job, or to actually wear the uniform) off-hours, so it's a possibility.

However, it would be a "performance contract" - meaning that, during the term of the contract, he would make an effort to maintain and preserve, off-hours, the ability to fulfil the contractural obligation. Failure to do so can constitute breach, for which he could be sued (or the contract nullified, at the least.) It's a civil matter, but one that could still go to court. What you're talking about is the difference between explicit conditions and implicit conditions, it seems.

5-90

[Sarge]

Well, part of what you refer to is the military and doesn't translate to a football team.

The other section tho is pretty well researched. Yes, they can try to sue but it would be doubtful they would win. They could dump him but I sorta suspect another team will be waiting to pick him up. The next team may insert something to that effect into his contract.

Sarge