Four days before a memorable Super Bowl XL performance, the Pittsburgh Steelers -- coaches, players, and the entire franchise cadre -- were together. Not at a practice. Not at a team meeting, nor at a public appearance. Instead, they sat, likely comfortably wrapped around a table in the warm confines of the Bettis family residence in the suburbs of Detroit. And, at least for that time, I like to imagine that Johnnie Bettis -- proud father and devoted husband -- was genuinely happy.

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting any of the family, as much as I would have enjoyed the experience. I never attended a Steelers football game for as long as Jerome Bettis has played for the organization. But yet, some part of me idolizes a man who attended, with the accompaniment of his wife, each-and-every football game that his son ever participated in -- from junior-varsity to national-league, Johnnie and Gladys were there for their son. In fact, in amongst the plethora of unforgettable images of Super Bowl XL, once will find a photograph depicting Mrs. Bettis in tears, not long after seeing her son win his first-and-only Super Bowl Championship.

But what I wonder the most is how much time Jerome was able to encapsulate with his father, as a result of his retirement following Super Bowl XL. Insofar that I can hope, Bettis himself appreciated the companionship of his father, and the devotion that he showed to his son. In a country of accruing divorse and born-out-of-wedlock children, that final year of the quintessential moments was ever-important, although saddeningly brief. I hope they enjoyed that time together.

As Mr. Bettis' heart took its final beats, he had the presence of mind to pull his vehicle out of the line of oncoming traffic, as to avoid any further damage. And as he did, a succession of passer-bys rushed to his assistance, not because he was the father of their football-idol, but to administer CPR, to assist in any way in prolonging the life o####entleman who was in peril. Although Mr. Bettis passed away today, he did so not in vain -- or so I'd like to imagine -- but rest-assured that he'd seen his son succeed and prevail. He'd seen all the football that was to be played by Jerome Bettis.

And that was all that mattered.

I cannot confirm anything, only that I'm hearing conflicting reports that Ben Roethlisberger passed away at 2:47 EST on June 12, 2006.

You heard it here first, no major news outlet has confirmed this report that I'm hearing out of Pittsburg, nor has it been published in any news outlet.  I say that only to remind you that these may be nothing more than spur-of-the-moment rumors.

Again, I cannot confirm anything at this point, only what I have heard from a few different sources.  I will continue to update this post as I hear more information.

At this point, what had been reported is that Roethlisberger was in a motorcycle accident and was declared in "serious, but stable conditions" by doctors at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg.  He was, as last reported, undergoing surgery.

Update: It was reported on wikipedia.org that "Roethlisberger passed away at 2:47 PM".  However, the piece of text was quickly removed from the site after being posted.

Update: Photos:

Roethlisberger's Bike.

A paint line around a puddle of blood is shown on the street where Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger collided with an automobile while riding his motorcycle in Pittsburgh on Monday.

 
Both the motorcycle Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was riding and the car he collided with are towed away from the scene.

Update: For what can be confirmed: "Police sources have indicated that Roethlisberger suffered fractures to the jaw and left sinus cavity, as well as a nine-inch laceration to the back of the head, the loss of many teeth, and "severe" injuries to both knees. His facial injuries were severe enough that witnesses on the scene did not immediately recognize him, even after he identified himself as "Ben"" Reported by ThePittsburghChannel.com

            I couldn’t believe my eyes.  How could the refs let this one go through?  After allowing a questionable timeout call and putting at least four tenths too many on the clock after examining the replay – maybe they should have examined the replay to the final play.  Chris Lofton, on the inbound pass, took at least three steps without dribbling and was allowed to shoot the game winning shot.  I jumped out of my seat yelling “Yes!”  There was no way that the refs missed that traveling call.  But Tennessee continued to celebrate, and the refs – who seemed captivated by the events that had just occurred – never raised a whistle.

This is, in my mind, one of the dumbest rules in all of sports; referees can go to replays for some plays, and can’t on others.  What’s wrong with looking at replays on judgment calls?  If the referees see indisputable visual evidence that their judgment was wrong, they can overturn their calls.  How many blown calls would this save in baseball?  How would Chicago have done if there had been replay in baseball?  If the Pierzynski ball would have been overturned after the umpire saw that the ball never hit the ground on that “dropped” third-strike.  How about in football?  If referees can go back and look at game-changing calls like pass-interference calls – give them a second chance, if we, the TV audience, can see that there was clearly no pass-interference; why can’t the referees?  It could have changed all of those shaky calls in the NFL playoffs last year.  And best of all; the refs could have saved that game and given Winthrop the chance that they deserved.

The choice is to the leagues; but the choice is simple.  Either allow replays on all calls, or don’t allow it at all.  If you’re going to let some teams benefit from replay on the blown call that went the other team’s way, then you cannot deny that benefit to the other team if a different “type” of blown call costs them.  This has to be fixed.