Can NFL Players Ride Motorcycles?
The NFL has, in the past, been the unfortunate recipient of the nickname the “no fun league”. And while many rules instituted by the league have been rather lame, there are some rules and contract clauses which generally make sense from both a player and team perspective.
And one such rule and common contract clause regards the use of motorcycles by individual NFL players.
Below, we are going to delve into this rule and contract clause and determine, once and for all, whether or not NFL players can ride motorcycles.
Are Motorcycles Dangerous?
Riding a motorcycle can be one of the most fun and exhilarating experiences. And if you are a motorcycle rider then you know well just how much fun riding a motorcycle can be and the thrill of cruising the open road and the challenge of controlling one.
However, riding a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous.
Per vehicle miles traveled in 2020, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured. Safe motorcycling takes balance, coordination, and good judgment.
In addition, motorcyclists account for 14% of all crash-related fatalities, even though they are only 3% of the vehicles on the road. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger-vehicle occupants to die in a car crash. And more than 80% of these type of crashes result in an injury or death.
In 2018 alone, 4,985 motorcyclists lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash.
How to Ride a Motorcycle Safely
While motorcyclists account for 14% of all crash-related fatalities, there are some practical and useful steps you can take to ensure your own safety on one.
Firstly, be sure to be road ready before riding a motorcycle on public roads. Every state in America requires a motorcycle license endorsement to supplement your automobile driver’s license. This license will ensure that you have the correct instruction and experience it takes to ride a motorcycle.
Similarly, given that motorcycles vary in handling and responsiveness, be sure to take some time before embarking on a trip to get acclimated to the feel of a new or unfamiliar motorcycle by riding it in a safe area. Doing so will help you get more accustomed to its handling and responsiveness before taking it out on a public road.
In addition, before each ride, be sure to check your motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels. Doing so will help to ensure that your bike responds according to your expectations.
And lastly, be sure to wear a motorcycle helmet each time you ride. You should wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.
Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Snell and ANSI labels located inside the helmet also show that the helmet meets the standards of those private, non-profit organizations.
Do NFL Players Ride Motorcycles?
Contrary to popular belief, the NFL does not have any rules or language regarding the use of a motorcycle. In fact, the league allows players to ride a motorcycle vehicle under the assumption the player is properly licensed to do so.
However, NFL teams will implement specific clauses disallowing the use of a motorcycle by their players. This is done as a means to ensure player safety and reduce the risk of death or injury, which tend to be more common when riding a motorcycle.
However, not all players will have this clause in their contract.
Rather, an NFL team will determine both a players risk preference and value to the team and implement specific clauses into a players contract to ensure the player maintains a safety first lifestyle which will not be a detriment to the team or a player’s playing viability.
That is, if an NFL team determines a player has a higher proclivity to partaking in risky behavior, the team may find it best to implement a clause disallowing those behaviors.
Why Do NFL Teams Have Clauses Regarding Motorcycles?
The NFL, and specific NFL teams, are in the business of making money. And they do so via football games featuring some of the best and most talented football players in the world. These NFL teams pay their players big bucks to perform on the world stage each week and expect those players to be game ready each week.
And while injuries are to be expected, there are certain injuries that can be avoided, or at the very least, minimized.
And one such injury is that related to the use of a motorcycle.
Due to the inherent dangers that riding a motorcycle presents, NFL teams would simply rather have their players avoid any possibility of an injury via a motorcycle vehicle. As such, they will implement a clause in a players contract indicating that the use of a motorcycle vehicle is not allowed.
What Happens if an NFL Players Rides a Motorcycle?
If an NFL player has a specific clause in their contract which disallows the use of a motorcycle and that player ignores that clause, their team could, if they so choose, void the players contract.
In essence, if an NFL player rides a motorcycle against the terms of their contract, then their team could theoretically void their contract and they would be left as a free agent in the league.
And if a certain player is performing poorly or simply engaging in other risky behaviors, then they risk the possibility of no other team opting to offer them a contract to join their team.
At the end of the day, it is simply in the best interest of an NFL player to simply not engage in risky behaviors and behavior which could put their health in jeopardy. Doing so could lead to suspension or expulsion from the league and the loss of their income.