Why does this keep happening to my teams? First Jay Williams for the Bulls a couple years ago, now this. What is gonna happen next...Derek Lee decides to get a Harley and goes down. Glad he is okay, now I just hope Winslow's injuries aren't career threatening. Had high hopes for my Browns Offense this year with Winslow and Edwards in the mix.
CLEVELAND -- Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. complained of chest pains after he was injured in a motorcycle accident, but the team said his injuries aren't life-threatening.
Winslow was riding in a community college parking lot Sunday when he hit a curb at about 35 mph and was thrown from the motorcycle, Westlake police Lt. Ray Arcuri said.
Winslow was taken by ambulance to Fairview Hospital and was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic on Monday where the team's medical staff would treat him, Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said.
One team source told ESPN.com late Monday that Browns officials are "particularly concerned" about potential damage to Winslow's right knee. The extent of the injury, and the possibility of structural damage that could sideline Winslow for an extended period, likely will not be determined until swelling in the knee subsides.
There is also swelling in Winslow's right shoulder.
"He went over the handlebars and was real evasive about what the injuries were," Arcuri said.
The 21-year-old Winslow had minor visible injuries. He was wearing a helmet, but it wasn't strapped on and flew off his head, Arcuri said. He landed in a landscaped area at the edge of the parking lot, falling hard enough to tear out a small tree.
He and four other men were riding motorcycles in the parking lot, not far from Winslow's home in suburban Cleveland. There was no alcohol involved, Arcuri said.
"The four gentlemen said he was testing the bike out learning to ride," Arcuri said.
The availability of Winslow for the 2005 season is not the only thing at risk, writes ESPN senior writer Len Pasquarelli. Beyond the injuries, there are possible financial ramifications as well, and Winslow may have given the team an opportunity to recover a portion of his signing bonus and option bonus, if he is found to be in breach of his contract.
Section 3 of the NFL's standard player contract stipulates, in part, that a "player will not engage in ... any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury. ... Player therefore agrees that club will have the right ... to enjoin the player from engaging in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of injury."
But two league sources said Monday night that Winslow's contract includes language which is even more specific and limiting, and which expressly forbids riding a motorcycle. Many teams include such specific language in the "riders" or addendums to contracts, especially those involving high-round draft choices. An agent who negotiated the contracts of some high-round Cleveland draft choices in recent years said the Browns routinely include such restrictions.
If the Winslow contract indeed includes such language, the Browns could seek to recoup a prorated share of the $6 million signing bonus Winslow received last year and perhaps the entire $4.4 million option bonus he was paid on March 1 of this year.
Winslow purchased the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 last month. He could face charges of reckless operation and operating without a valid driver's license because he didn't have a learner's permit, Arcuri said.
The first-round draft pick missed nearly all of his rookie year with the Browns after breaking his right leg against Dallas in Week 2 while attempting to recover an onside kick in the final seconds.
Winslow had five receptions for 50 yards in his first two pro games.
He has had two operations on the leg and said in March that he expected it to be fully healed for this season. Winslow signed a six-year, $40 million contract with the Browns, but lost a $5.3 million bonus because of the leg injury.
CLEVELAND -- Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. complained of chest pains after he was injured in a motorcycle accident, but the team said his injuries aren't life-threatening.
Winslow was riding in a community college parking lot Sunday when he hit a curb at about 35 mph and was thrown from the motorcycle, Westlake police Lt. Ray Arcuri said.
Winslow was taken by ambulance to Fairview Hospital and was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic on Monday where the team's medical staff would treat him, Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said.
One team source told ESPN.com late Monday that Browns officials are "particularly concerned" about potential damage to Winslow's right knee. The extent of the injury, and the possibility of structural damage that could sideline Winslow for an extended period, likely will not be determined until swelling in the knee subsides.
There is also swelling in Winslow's right shoulder.
"He went over the handlebars and was real evasive about what the injuries were," Arcuri said.
The 21-year-old Winslow had minor visible injuries. He was wearing a helmet, but it wasn't strapped on and flew off his head, Arcuri said. He landed in a landscaped area at the edge of the parking lot, falling hard enough to tear out a small tree.
He and four other men were riding motorcycles in the parking lot, not far from Winslow's home in suburban Cleveland. There was no alcohol involved, Arcuri said.
"The four gentlemen said he was testing the bike out learning to ride," Arcuri said.
The availability of Winslow for the 2005 season is not the only thing at risk, writes ESPN senior writer Len Pasquarelli. Beyond the injuries, there are possible financial ramifications as well, and Winslow may have given the team an opportunity to recover a portion of his signing bonus and option bonus, if he is found to be in breach of his contract.
Section 3 of the NFL's standard player contract stipulates, in part, that a "player will not engage in ... any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury. ... Player therefore agrees that club will have the right ... to enjoin the player from engaging in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of injury."
But two league sources said Monday night that Winslow's contract includes language which is even more specific and limiting, and which expressly forbids riding a motorcycle. Many teams include such specific language in the "riders" or addendums to contracts, especially those involving high-round draft choices. An agent who negotiated the contracts of some high-round Cleveland draft choices in recent years said the Browns routinely include such restrictions.
If the Winslow contract indeed includes such language, the Browns could seek to recoup a prorated share of the $6 million signing bonus Winslow received last year and perhaps the entire $4.4 million option bonus he was paid on March 1 of this year.
Winslow purchased the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750 last month. He could face charges of reckless operation and operating without a valid driver's license because he didn't have a learner's permit, Arcuri said.
The first-round draft pick missed nearly all of his rookie year with the Browns after breaking his right leg against Dallas in Week 2 while attempting to recover an onside kick in the final seconds.
Winslow had five receptions for 50 yards in his first two pro games.
He has had two operations on the leg and said in March that he expected it to be fully healed for this season. Winslow signed a six-year, $40 million contract with the Browns, but lost a $5.3 million bonus because of the leg injury.
