Arkansas Football: Head Coach Bobby Petrino Cleared to Return to Practice

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino will be released from the hospital on Tuesday and has been cleared by doctors to return to practice, according to Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long.  

Petrino was hospitalized on Sunday night after crashing his motorcycle near the community of Crosses in Northwest Arkansas.  He suffered four broken ribs, an injury to the C2 vertebrae and multiple cuts and bruises in the one-vehicle accident.  

"I enjoy going out there and riding the bike," Petrino said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon after being released from the hospital.  "I was just going out on a Sunday night, after dinner, for a short ride.  I had been in that area before, but I usually stop at Elkins High School and turn around and come back.  I went a little further.  It's something that really puts a scare in you.  I can't say that I'm not going to ride a motorcycle again, because I might do that.

Petrino was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.  People over the age of 21 in the state of Arkansas are not required to wear helmets while riding motorcycles.

"I had two helmets out," said Petrino.  "I said 'this one is going to be really heavy and hot, and this one is going to make me look like a Conehead.  I'll just go with the hat.'  Obviously, a bad call."

You can view Petrino's entire press conference here.

Follow @BarrettSallee