Ben Roethlisberger tempts fate and loses

I guess Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger thought one Super Bowl ring was enough. Despite the glaring example of Kellen Winslow, Roethlisberger insisted on riding his motorcycle and doing so without a helmet. Today he paid the price:

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.

[. . .]

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.

We will have to wait and see how serious the injuries are but this just strikes me as immaturity. I can understand why he would want to ride his motorcycle. I can even understand why he might not want to wear a helmet. What I can’t understand is why he wouldn’t suck it up and do the smart thing anyway. Why risk it?

Roethlisberger has show great promise and already has a Super Bowl ring. But what he hasn’t done is prove that he is an elite quarterback on a consistent basis. An injury like this could undermine or even cut short his career. It just seems like a waste.

I am thanking my stars that the Steelers still have Charlie Batch and added Omar Jacobs. Maybe another MAC QB will need to lead the Steelers to victory this year. As they say, stay tuned . . .