Gordon RamsayThe fiery celebrity chef, known for his culinary skills, recently found himself in a frightening situation that left him devastated, hurt and grateful to be alive.
An avid cyclist and fitness enthusiast, Ramsay has never shied away from pushing himself to his limits, proving that his endurance in the kitchen translates well to his stamina on the bike. In 2013, he completed the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, a triathlon that consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon. But even the most experienced cyclists can suffer an unexpected accident.
The mishap occurred while he was driving in Connecticut earlier this week. The accident was serious, and Ramsay was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Although he didn't break any bones, he shared a photo in which he lifted up his chef jacket to reveal badly bruised ribs that were various shades of purple and blue and, in his own words, “looked like a purple potato.”
Details of the accident have not been released, but speculation suggests that Ramsay may have fallen into a pothole, lost control of his bike, or collided with another bike or car. Either way, the impact must have been devastating. Ramsay said he was “really shocked” by the accident, and rightly so. He was admitted to hospital for treatment, and it appears his injuries were serious enough that he received immediate medical attention. Thankfully, the worst was avoided. He didn't break any bones or sustain any serious injuries, but he is still in a lot of pain.
Ramsay wasn't shy about stressing the importance of wearing a helmet on his social media: It's bulky, messes with your hair, and makes you look like you're climbing into a spaceship. But you know what's worse? A cracked skull and missing teeth. Feeding tubes and neck braces are even worse fashion faux pas. He later revealed in a post that his helmet was also badly damaged in the accident, but that at least it absorbed the damage.
Ramsay also emphasized that the most compelling reason to wear a helmet is the example it sets for others, especially children. Kids are always watching, and when they see their parents or role models neglecting helmet safety measures, they're more likely to do the same. And while we all like to think we're invincible, the truth is that accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere.
