Jul 10

Einstein Ben Roethlisberger shrugs off his motorcycle wounds to golf

Forget strippers and “medicinal” mood aids. That’s so 1980s, so Pauly Shore rather than Johnny Depp.

If you really want to see celebrities go wild these days, you need to turn to golf.

No amount of pole gyrating can produce the craziness that happens when innocent, wholesome celebrities get addicted to the old game. Golf has practically become the drug of choice for the famously vain. And once the jones sets in, there’s no telling what’s going to happen.

This is why blockheaded Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will make his return to the public scene as a golfer. Sure, Big Ben skidded off that motorcycle without a helmet, scrapped up his grill and noggin and needed five titanium plates to put his jaw in place. But that’s not going to stop him from golfing. Please. Not golf? Come on, let’s not get crazy.

Roethlisberger plans to tee it up at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe this week (practice rounds start tomorrow with NBC getting in on the act with live coverage on the weekend). Hey, this is celebrity golf!

“His people called up and said under no circumstances take him off the list,” NBC Sports senior vice president John Miller told the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

See, Roethlisberger’s “people” really do have his back. Sure, they might not have been able to convince their multimillionaire icon to wear a helmet. But they look out for his golf. Which do you think’s more important to Roethlisberger?

There’s no kidding in that line. Consider the indignity Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley must have suffered when they called up the Atlantic City Country Club a few weeks ago, asked for their usual whenever-they-please tee time and were told, “Sorry, 8 a.m. is booked.”

It turns out that the boxer Oscar De La Hoya had the 8 a.m. spot and the club was unwilling to bump him for Barkley and Jordan. Adding much more sting to the snub is the New York Post’s report that a sportswriter was part of De La Hoya’s Jordan thwarting foursome.

Forget a table at Nobu or a VIP room at the nightclub Marquee. The real celebrity cachet is golf access these days.

Did Big Ben ever say where he was racing to that motorcycle day?

For more on celebrites gone wild on Tahoe golf, stay tuned to TravelGolf.com this week.

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16 comments

Comment from: Dani7 [Visitor]

Now, let me try and understand this.
You’re saying Ben can't play two sports?

Umm Look: Ben can do what ever he wants. If he wants to play golf in his spare time let him play. If he wants to ride his motorcycle let him ride. He has a life other than football.

Let me ask you one question- Is there one thing in your life that you love that relaxes you. And all of a sudden something went wrong, you got hurt or someone started to make a big deal about it. What would you do? Would you keep doing it because you love it or stop because you want people to stop talking about you.

I am guessing you would stop doing what you love because, your insecure and you just want to ruin other peoples day by writing crap like this.

And umm since you are a reporter I would use correct grammar, not grill.

Thanks have a nice day.

2006-07-10 @ 11:43

Comment from: Nana [Visitor]

This golfing he's doing next week is for charity, Idiot. He does it every year. Shame on you!

2006-07-10 @ 11:55

Comment from: Nana [Visitor]

... and how refreshing that this "celebrity" (your words) is taking time for others, even though he has just been through such devastating trauma.

2006-07-10 @ 11:58

Comment from: Brian [Visitor]

Sad that you rip a guy for his participation in a golf event for charity. Ben certainly made a bad decision in his choice to ride without a helmet but he and the "steeler nation" does not need your criticism...he is lucky to be alive. Keep up the bad work blockhead.

2006-07-10 @ 12:12

Comment from: Big Larry Three [Visitor]

Ya I totally agree with everyone else that's replied to this garbage. This seems like you have a total disreguard for Ben. He made a mistake, Im sure he's learned from it. He stated that if he should ever ride again, he will wear a helmet. What do you want him to make his first appearance doing? Skydiving? I mean come on man, you are an educated man arent you? Golf is a relaxing sport that even if he isnt 100% yet, he can still have a good time, enjoy it, and relax while giving back to a CHARITY.

Seems like you have a problem with celebrities in general from reading your blog. It's not our fault your not happy enough with your own life that you have to tear down those of greater fortunes. Get over yourself...

2006-07-10 @ 12:18

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

You Steelers fans are a little uptight, no? No one is more thrilled that Roethlisberger is swinging the sticks in Tahoe this week than me. Believe me. As you'll soon read on TravelGolf.com.

This article was about how celebs like Big Ben have gone completely golf crazy and do anything to do it. Even brush off a rearranged face.

Chill Steeler heads. Just because your ranks are filled with some of most bandwagon fans in all of sports - outside of perhaps Cowboy fans, you're No. 1 in bandwagon and it's getting closer - don't get all uppity.

2006-07-10 @ 12:55

Comment from: Doc [Visitor]

What would you have Ben do, oh wise Golf writer? Forever go into hiding because of the shame he should feel for his mistake? And had he cancelled, would we be reading about how been backed out on a charity golf tourney? Your a moron.

2006-07-10 @ 12:56

Comment from: Chris' mom [Visitor]

Chris,

you're a moron. plain and simple. you've just proven that it does not take any insight, intelligence nor social morals to pump out a blog.

I must say that your stance on Ben Roethlisberger playing golf is astoundlingly ridiculous. Just how can Ben further injure himself playing golf? Further, you do realize that the charity benefitting from this golf tournament is for autistic childen, right?

Your comments in the article as well as your feeble attempt to defend yourself are probably the most ignorant things I've ever had the misfortune of reading on the web.

Thank you for taking it upon yourself to dumb down society to your intellectual level.

Cheers,
Your Mom

BTW -- I'm being blogged right now by 5 different guys.

2006-07-10 @ 13:06

Comment from: Don [Visitor]

Block head huh? Ben seems a caring individual, he gives to charity coupiously---my question ,what have you done lately that is of note. Writing stupid blogs is not something that rates as a work of art.Your entitled to your own opinion and think we all agree. but to add adjutives like blockhead, and EINSTEIN like is unforgivable. Best you give up as a writer. you really SUCK. Insulted

2006-07-10 @ 15:42

Comment from: Wendy [Visitor]

Just so you know...Ben Roethlisberger wasn't "racing off" to anywhere when his accident occured. He was cut off by a 62 year old woman driving a Chrysler New Yorker. Ben was travelling at the posted speed limit. Also, why do think Ben shouldn't play gold for charity next week? It's not like his recovery will be adversly affected by playing golf. -Wendy

2006-07-10 @ 22:58

Comment from: ERE [Visitor]

ITS AMAZING YOU GET PAID FOR THIS SO CALLED ARTICLE. PRETTY SAD DUDE. TRY HAVING A PINT NEXT TIME, IT REALLY HELPS

2006-07-11 @ 11:53

Comment from: Fred [Visitor]

What would a sissy like you know about Ben, a real athlete? And for you to say, "This article was about how celebs like Big Ben have gone completely golf crazy and do anything to do it. Even brush off a rearranged face" shows how utterly stupid you are.

That's not what the article was about and you know it. You were just trash talking about Ben. That is your whole purpose. Just like you trash talk about every other athlete. Why? Because you're a fat, blabby bald guy who was never an athlete. It's sad that you basically live the life of a 12 year old, petty jealousies and all.

2006-07-11 @ 12:22

Comment from: roy [Visitor]

I believe everyone here pretty much covered most of the thoughts I have. The only thing I add is in reguards to your banwagon comment. Your way off there bud, if you would have followed the steelers over the past 30 years you would know that steeler fans have taken over stadiums for years and years. They have put rules in at other stadiums as far as selling tickets 4 and 5 years ago. Yes of course there are some guys coming on board right now but the fact is steeler fans have taken over the NFL for years. My advice to you is to look stuff up before you open your mouth. This way it could prevent you from sticking your foot in it so often.

2006-07-11 @ 23:03

Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]

I agree with Chris. Ben is a donkey in Steeler's clothing. The lame-o explanation that someone cut him off could be supported by "he wouldn't have needed a seat belt if someone hadn't hit him head on."

Also, I hear that instead of a golf cart, he will be allowed to strap his bag onto the back of a Harley. Any truth to that rumor?

Charity? Please. How much does Ben's presence really influence the charitable contributions. Does he let people take a picture with his plated jaw in exchange for a contribution? Of course not. Come up with some facts on how his appearance influcences the money raised and we'll talk.

2006-07-12 @ 22:08

Comment from: Wendy [Visitor]

Dear Ron Mon, Perhaps your reading comprehension level is a bit sub-par? My "lam-o explaination" was infact not an explaination, it was an answer to the articles' "writer" that Ben was not "racing off" anywhere. If you are unable to realize that any celebrity, endorsing any charity causes forcus on that charity then perhaps you should continue with the "Highlights for Kids". That is the reason charities want celebrities involved with them. Ron, I know it is impossible to deal with the fact that even with steel plates and with post-reconstructive surgery swelling Ben still gets more women than you, but you should be used to it by now. -Wendy

2006-07-13 @ 11:21

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Visitor]

I have a confession to make. I am a depressed person. I'm dumb, ugly, balding, and I suck at writing so bad that I'm stuck writing a golf blog. I only insult Ben because it's the only time my blogs get any response. I just want people to read what I write. Also I am extremely jealous of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their first rate fans. Please be sure to read my next exciting blog.

2006-07-14 @ 20:39

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