Roethlisberger undergoes surgery

Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl this year

Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has undergone extensive surgery after a serious motorcycle crash.

Roethlisberger, who was not wearing a helmet, broke his jaw and nose and is in a serious but stable condition.

Four doctors operated on Roethlisberger for seven hours to treat multiple facial fractures.

"All of the fractures were successfully repaired," said Dr Harry W Sell of Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital.

Roethlisberger's agent Leigh Steinberg, said: "He was talking to me before he left for the operating room.

"He's coherent. He's making sense. From that standpoint, he's very stable."

The 24-year-old Roethlisberger has said in the past that he likes to ride his motorbike without a helmet - which once prompted a lecture from Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher.

Roethlisberger's bike collided with a silver Chrysler car at the edge of Pittsburgh's downtown district just before midday local time.

Pittsburgh police are investigating the crash.

Steelers president Art Rooney said: "On behalf of everyone within the Steelers organisation, I want to express my concern for Ben Roethlisberger.

"I am sure Ben knows that we are praying for his complete recovery. So far we have been encouraged by early reports from the medical team at Mercy Hospital."

In only his second year in the NFL, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to the Super Bowl championship in February this year, making him at 23 the youngest quarter-back to win the title.