I'm not sure what the fascination is with athletes and motorcycles. You'd think enough of these guys have ruined their careers for the rest of the to realize it isn't worth the risks. That callous remark aside, WEC bantamweight Will Ribeiro was in a serious motorcycle accident in Rio on Tuesday. He was the passenger on the bike and was not wearing a helmet. He was thrown from the vehicle and is now in a coma. If he survives the coma and surgeries (doctors have given him a 50/50 chance) he will still be permanently blind in one eye as a result of the crash, thus, his MMA career is over regardless. Ribeiro is managed by Ed Soares who also represents many other Brazilian fighters including Anderson Silva. Soares has promised to keep everyone updated. Ribeiro last competed at WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia on December 3rd, tapping out to a guillotine choke against Brian Bowles in the third round. The 25-year old Campo Grande native is 10-2 in his pro MMA career.
That remark isn't callous at all. Just off the top of my head -- Jay Williams, Diego Corrales, Ben Roethlisberger, Monta Ellis, Kellen Winslow - I'm sure there are a ton more. I know these guys think they are indestructible, but man do they have a lot of people relying on them to keep their bodies in one piece.
I don't know if that is a fair statement to say that they think they are indestructible. I think it is more of an attitude of knowing the risk but not expecting it to happen to you. I seen plenty of regular people every day driving like assholes in their cars or on their motorcycles. It is just something that you don't expect to happen to you. Sad news. I hope he makes it.
