Petrino: I'm lucky to be here

Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino speaks during a news conference in Fayetteville on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, after being released from a hospital.

— Wrapped in a neck brace and with a badly bruised and swollen face, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said he felt fortunate to be alive on Tuesday.

Petrino was released from a hospital two days after a motorcycle accident left him with four broken ribs, a cracked vertebrae and a neck sprain. The 51-year-old was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Petrino said he owns two helmets, but opted to wear neither on Sunday. One was "too hot", he said, while he felt the other made him "look like a conehead". Arkansas state law does not mandate motorcyclists wear helmets.

"It was obviously a bad call," said Petrino, who appeared upbeat despite his condition. "We wouldn't have converted the third down.

"I'm very fortunate and feel very lucky to be here and be in good health. It was a situation where I don't remember a lot about exactly what happened."

Petrino said the accident, which occurred shortly before sunset, was caused because the sun was in his eyes driving back home to the northwest.

Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino talks about a motorcycle accident that left him with four broken ribs, a cracked vertebrae and a neck sprain.

Bobby Petrino - Motorcycle Accident

Video available Watch Video

He crashed his Harley-Davidson near Crosses - a rural community located on Arkansas 16 about 23 miles southeast of Fayetteville - around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday.

"It got to the point where I wasn't going to be able to maneuver the turn," Petrino said. "There were about 15 seconds where I said, 'Oh no, here I go.'"

He said he was picked up by two motorists passing the scene. The motorists, who Petrino said did not recognize him as Arkansas' football coach, helped him meet up with Lance King, an Arkansas state trooper who serves as his security detail during football season.

King took Petrino to Physicians' Specialty Hospital in Fayetteville, where he spent two nights.

Petrino was released from the facility late Tuesday morning and was cleared to watch Arkansas' spring practices from the press box, where he will be monitored by physicians.

"Seeing him back up and being able to see him do what he loves is nice," UA athletics director Jeff Long said. "I would not question his toughness and I'm sure his players don't either."

Asked if he was surprised his older brother returned so soon, Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino responded, "No. He's a Petrino," adding he once watched the elder Petrino finish a college game at quarterback with a blown-out knee.

Despite the crash, Petrino said he will continue riding motorcycles.

"I enjoy going out and riding a bike," Petrino said.

"I think you just have to know what you're doing and know the weight of the bike. I thought I did and made a mistake when I was driving. I will wear a helmet from now on."