August 6th, 2007 by R.J.

First it was Kellen Winslow Jr, then it was Ben Roethlisberger, then Arnold, now add Steeler’s offensive lineman Barrett Brooks to the list of celebrity idiots giving our hobby a bad rep.

In the wee hours of the morning, Brooks rode recklessly around a police car. When the police officer lit Brooks up, he fled on his motorcycle — with no helmet. The chase lasted five minutes, Brooks was reportedly riding at “unsafe” speeds and ran a red light and a stop sign. The chase ended with Brooks dropping his motorcycle in an intersection. He tried to pick the motorcycle up and flee when officers made the physical arrest. Brooks was charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving at an unsafe speed, and other traffic violations.

I just don’t understand what is wrong with these people. Why do they think their money is a suitable replacement for having a brain? Was Barrett jealous of all the attention Roethlisberger had when he crashed into a windshield? Did
he want to try and out-do Ben? I mean, WHY did he run? He wasn’t under the influence, he wasn’t fleeing a robbery or murder scene, he at MOST would have gotten a ticket (which I’m SURE he can afford), but he decided to run and get
arrested? He’s now in jail, is going to pay a lot of money, he may get fired and I see an anti-motorcycle clause in Steeler’s contracts in the near future… For what? It’s just so stupid.

If you can’t operate a motorcycle safely and in a reasonable manner, why own one? Having the money isn’t an excuse for having a motorcycle. These aren’t toys, people. It’s so easy to be seriously maimed or killed, and I’ve had many friends end up like that… I just don’t understand why people aren’t more careful about how they operate their bikes…