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06/13/2006: "Big Ben is a Lucky Idiot"

OK, now that it looks like he's not going to die, it's time to call out Ben Roethlisberger. Oh yeah, big guy - you looked real cool riding on your rice rocket wearing nothing more than a Terrible Towel on your head. Just think how cool you must look now - broken nose, broken jaw, no teeth - quite a sight, I'm sure! The good news is that you're not dead; the bad news is that when training camp opens next month, you'll have to watch Charlie Batch run the offense while you sip your Gatorade through a straw. I understand you're only 24 - hell, I was 24 once, too. Most 24-year-olds are basically dumbasses, and you're no exception. But most of them aren't paid millions of dollars and given the keys to a Super Bowl-winning football team. Apparently, being given responsibility doesn't mean you're responsible. I know it's legal to ride without a helmet in PA - only because they recalled a 35-year-old helmet law a couple of cycles back - but that's like a skydiver shunning a reserve chute "cuz reserves are for pussies, man!" Unlike Jay Williams, Kellen Winslow and the other big name athletes who made the same dumb mistake, you were cut a break - the parts that broke aren't related to your athletic career. Take it as a sign: you got lucky this time, hoss - next time you're a damp spot on the side of an overpass.

Replies: 2 Comments

On Thursday, June 15th, Ravelling said:

Sometimes the "Nanny State" (as newspapers love to call it) doesn't seem like such a bad idea, after all.
Quite a lot of lives saved since helmets became compulsory in many places.

On Thursday, June 22nd, Wild John said:

"Apparently, being given responsibility doesn't mean you're responsible."
BINGO! But, what is really at issue here is whether NFL teams (or other sports franchises) can "require" responsibility through contract language. The NFL Players Union (MLB is actually the worst) has consistantly fought (and won) any language that requires players to "behave"- except in the case of behaviors that are unlawful.
BUT- what if your job was based (almost solely) on your physical ability. Wouldn't your employer have a right to mandate that you not pursue activitities that are STATISTICALLY PROVED to jeopardize that ability. I damned well say they should. And, if the employee doesn't like it, then walk, or negotiate. It's what contracts are supposed to be about. The players unions (and many of the stronger workers unions) skew the negiotiating platform. The hey day of the unions came when fair-labor laws were almost non existant. If you ask most of the "rank and file" if they'd rather have the ability to negotiate for themselves, I think you'd be surprised by the answers. But the labor leaders aren't going to let that word out, because otherwise they might actually have to get a job!
EoR!
-WJ