Roethlisberger Rant

Here we go again. Another athlete/celebrity has been injured in a motorcycle crash. This time it’s Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Superbowl “winning” Pittsburgh Steelers. (Those of us in the Northwest are still not convinced that the Steelers won that game.)

In the wake of this high-profile incident we can expect renewed interest in helmet laws and increasing resistance to repeal efforts. We can expect to see more restrictions on athletes riding motorcycles. We can also expect much to be made of the fact that Roethlisberger was riding a Suzuki Hayabusa. The bike is already being referred to in the press as “the fastest street-legal motorcycle you can buy” and as a motorcycle that “reaches 139 mph in the quarter mile.”

In the days following Kellen Winslow’s accident Roethlisberger was counseled by Coach Bill Cowher about riding without a helmet. In response Roethlisberger offered the following:

“It can be a risk. It depends on how you ride. I don’t ride a sport bike. If I’m riding a sport bike and trying to do tricks, and going 200 miles down the highway, that’s probably pretty stupid. But when you’re 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.

“He talked about being a risk-taker and I’m not really a risk-taker. I’m pretty conservative and laid back, but the big thing is to just be careful. I’ll just continue to be careful. I told him we don’t ever ride alone, we always ride in a group of people, and I think it makes it even more safe.”

“It’s one of those things. Unfortunately of all the people who ride around, you don’t hear about the people who are safe, you hear about the one incident where someone gets hurt. It is unfortunate, I feel bad for Kellen and I hope he gets better. I’m riding a Harley, so I’m not doing too much crazy stuff.”

Riding a motorcycle is inherently risky. Smart riders make every effort to reduce risks. They do this through training, equipment, planning and mental preparation. Even after all of that, the simple fact is that riding a motorcycle is a risky thing to do and no amount of “careful” will protect you from someone else’s stupidity or lapse of attention. We accept that risk.

Contrary to his statement, Roethlisberger was not riding in a group this time. There have been no reports of speeding or other behavior that indicate that he was doing anything but driving normally. The crash was a classic left-turn right-of-way violation. The old “I didn’t see you” crash. Likely not Roethlisberger’s fault.

Apparently riding a Harley precludes one from doing any “crazy stuff.” In any event, Roethlisberger was not riding his Harley, he was riding his Suzuki Hayabusa. Does it make a difference? Maybe. In addition to being very, very fast, the Hayabusa is very agile and has excellent brakes. I would bet that all else being equal, one could more effectively avoid a crash on a ‘busa than on a heavier, slower-to-respond cruiser.

As for wearing a helmet when he rides, Roethlisberger had this to say:

“I think that’s my own discretion. Obviously, Pennsylvania doesn’t think people need to.”

And wearing a helmet while playing football?

“There’s a law,” Roethlisberger replied. “You got to wear it in football.”

Technically it’s not a law, it’s a rule. But still, if there were no rule requiring him to wear a helmet while playing football he wouldn’t? I doubt it.

But, Ben Roethlisberger had a choice and he made it. Now he lives with the consequences of his choice, just as anyone else would. If his career is over, so be it. It is no more or less tragic than any other motorcycle crash.

Should Ben Roethlisberg have the choice to wear a helmet? Yes.

Did he make a smart choice? No.