What's black and blue and has the world's dirtiest mouth? The answer to that riddle today is British chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay, in the aftermath of a very bad bike crash.
Gordon Ramsay is arguably one of the most colorful personalities in showbiz. Known for his temper and his tendency to drop F-bombs faster than he breathes, Gordon Ramsay is also a respected chef and a passionate car collector. As of a few years ago, he's also a fitness fanatic who will often take parts in triathlons and cycling challenges.
That last part makes Ramsay one of the few people justified in using their platforms for PSAs (public service announcements), especially when they're inspired by his own personal experiences. Case in point: Ramsay's near-death bike crash last week.
June 16 is Father's Day and Ramsay is choosing to celebrating it with a warning: wear your helmet, regardless if you're a young or older dad, or if you ride for longer distances or just 'round the corner in the city. He cites his own example and the bad accident he's been involved in in Connecticut, but doesn't go into the specifics of the crash.
Ramsay argues that, much like it happened with him, a helmet can save your life in case of an accident. Even if a helmet is an expensive cycling accessory and not mandatory in most territories, it's always best to wear one, even if only out of precaution.
Photo: Instagram/Gordon Ramsay
In his case, the helmet worked its magic and saved his life. He doesn't explicitly say that he was nearly killed, but he says he "wouldn't be here" without it, so that's the logical conclusion. Ramsay then proceeds to show off his huge bruise that extends from his hip all the way to his ribs, covering his entire side.
"I'm doing ok and did not break any bones or suffer any major injuries but I am a bit bruised up looking like a purple potato," Ramsay adds in the caption to the video. "I'm thankful for all the doctors, nurses and staff at Lawerence + Memorial Hospital in New London who looked after me and checked me out, but most thankful for my helmet that saved my life."
He says in the video that, even though nothing's broken, he's in a lot of pain.
Gordon Ramsay isn't the only celebrity to advocate for wearing a helmet even when biking in the city. Sir Richard Branson does it every time he crashes his bike, Simon Cowell did the same after he broke his back on a non-legal e-bike, and singer Sophie Ellis Bextor also turned her hospitalization into a PSA.
There's a common denominator here, and that's in the fact that all these celebrities are British. Cycling laws are more lenient in the U.S., which probably explains it.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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