Roethlisberger Gives Chilling Interview While Not Wearing Helmet

Be honest. You were wondering how disfigured his face would be.

After Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident left him flat on the pavement with the most uncomfortable of head wounds, we held our breath. After about a week or so, when he was released from the hospital, we were able to joke about it. Then we were kind of curious. "What will his face look like?"

In his exclusive interview with ESPN's Jim Rome, his face looked a tad on the plastic side. Then again, we're used to a more grizzly neck, as was the style during the Steelers' Super Bowl campaign. But all the important features were there: two eyes, two ears, a nose, a mouth, and that mole.

But Ben, I have to question your headgear during the interview. A backwards baseball cap? Isn't that the motorcycle-driving attire that got you in trouble before? When news of your crash became 'round-the-clock news, pictures of you on a hog with that same type of macho headdress began circulating the blogs.

And while I'm at it, what on earth was Roethlisberger thinking sitting down with Jim Rome, the king of smack, without a helmet? What if Romey started calling him Chris Evert? That would not suck.

Roethlisberger told Van Smack that, while he's not thinking about riding again, he hasn't ruled it out. That translates to "maybe." He's a fan of motorcycles and wants to get back on a bike at some point. But at the same time he knows a second motorcycle accident – whether or not the injuries are career-ending – will not only end his relationship with the Steelers, but just may blackball him from a professional football contract. But good news: the Taco Bell in Findlay, Ohio is always hiring.

While it's pointless (and a little pathetic) to debate what Roethlisberger should do in his spare time, he'll make smarter decisions from now on. Because a little thing like a broken artery bleeding into one's stomach after a motorcycle crash typically qualifies as a sobering experience.

Don't worry your surgically-repaired head about motorcycles. Worry about football. Defending the Lombardi Trophy isn't easy. It's hard work, and the best results come from wearing a helmet.

Article Author: Matthew T. Sussman

Sussman is the founder and former editor of Blogcritics Sports. Twitter: @suss2hyphens

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