Ohio Steeler
06-13-2006, 10:35 PM
NFLPA counsels caution about motorcycles
NFL.com wire reports
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (June 13, 2006) -- Troy Vincent's motorcycles have spent the past few years gathering dust in his garage.
Once an avid rider, the Buffalo Bills safety, president of the NFL Players Association, gave it up not because of a clause in his contract or fears that an accident would shorten his career. He did it at the request of his wife, who reminded Vincent he had a family of four to support.
Vincent, speaking after Buffalo's minicamp practice, explained that his decision was a personal one. That, he said, is just like Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who made up his own mind to continue riding motorcycles despite fears raised by his team.
Describing Roethlisberger's serious motorcycle accident June 12 as unfortunate, Vincent stressed there is only so much the NFLPA can and should do to limit players' freedoms.
"You don't want to tell a guy what he can't do and what he can do," he said. "All you can say is, 'Take advantage of this window of opportunity. Be smart.' "
Roethlisberger, who quarterbacked the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in February, is recovering in a Pittsburgh hospital after breaking his jaw and suffering other injuries after being thrown from his bike after colliding with a car.
The crash is expected to reopen the debate on whether NFL contracts should specifically restrict players from riding motorcycles. Last season, Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow missed the season after injuring his knee in an accident.
Vincent said the union is not against teams including specific clauses barring activities such as motorcycle riding, hang-gliding or bungee jumping. But it has to be done on a contract-to-contract basis, he added.
Vincent does believe Roethlisberger's crash will lead to an increase in such clauses, starting with contracts involving high-priced rookies.
Vincent, 35, questioned Roethlisberger's decision to continue riding without a helmet, even though it's legal to do so in Pennsylvania. Vincent noted that he would always wear a helmet, particularly when riding in a big city like Philadelphia, where he makes his home.
But the responsibility is on the individual, he said.
"Sometimes, we believe that that won't happen to us. I'm the same way. There are certain things that happen to other people that we just believe, 'That won't be me,' " said Vincent, a 14-year NFL veteran. "But as a player, we have to take most of the responsibility, and we have to make wise choices."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9496082
NFL.com wire reports
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (June 13, 2006) -- Troy Vincent's motorcycles have spent the past few years gathering dust in his garage.
Once an avid rider, the Buffalo Bills safety, president of the NFL Players Association, gave it up not because of a clause in his contract or fears that an accident would shorten his career. He did it at the request of his wife, who reminded Vincent he had a family of four to support.
Vincent, speaking after Buffalo's minicamp practice, explained that his decision was a personal one. That, he said, is just like Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who made up his own mind to continue riding motorcycles despite fears raised by his team.
Describing Roethlisberger's serious motorcycle accident June 12 as unfortunate, Vincent stressed there is only so much the NFLPA can and should do to limit players' freedoms.
"You don't want to tell a guy what he can't do and what he can do," he said. "All you can say is, 'Take advantage of this window of opportunity. Be smart.' "
Roethlisberger, who quarterbacked the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in February, is recovering in a Pittsburgh hospital after breaking his jaw and suffering other injuries after being thrown from his bike after colliding with a car.
The crash is expected to reopen the debate on whether NFL contracts should specifically restrict players from riding motorcycles. Last season, Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow missed the season after injuring his knee in an accident.
Vincent said the union is not against teams including specific clauses barring activities such as motorcycle riding, hang-gliding or bungee jumping. But it has to be done on a contract-to-contract basis, he added.
Vincent does believe Roethlisberger's crash will lead to an increase in such clauses, starting with contracts involving high-priced rookies.
Vincent, 35, questioned Roethlisberger's decision to continue riding without a helmet, even though it's legal to do so in Pennsylvania. Vincent noted that he would always wear a helmet, particularly when riding in a big city like Philadelphia, where he makes his home.
But the responsibility is on the individual, he said.
"Sometimes, we believe that that won't happen to us. I'm the same way. There are certain things that happen to other people that we just believe, 'That won't be me,' " said Vincent, a 14-year NFL veteran. "But as a player, we have to take most of the responsibility, and we have to make wise choices."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9496082