Giants' Kiwanuka says riding days are over

Mathias Kiwanuka's motorcycling days are over. And he considers himself - and his brother - lucky to have days left in general.

Kiwanuka's brother, Benedict, was severely injured in a motorcycle accident in Indianapolis during Memorial Day weekend, to the point that he was listed in critical condition. The Giants defensive end said the first two days were "touch and go."

Kiwanuka, who was riding another motorcycle but not involved in the accident, said the experience gave him fresh perspective.

"You go through something like that and you realize how much of a gift life is and how short it can be and you try to make better decisions," he said Monday after a team OTA in which he participated. "For me, the position I'm in, watching that and knowing what I have left here to do - not just in football but on this Earth - it's enough to wake you up and make you realize there are better ways to have fun.

"My decision is I am done riding motorcycles," he added.

Benedict Kiwanuka is improving and Mathias said he should be out of the hospital soon. He did not give many details of the accident - "For now it's still a little too fresh," he said - but disputed some of the reports that circulated immediately after the accident.

Kiwanuka said the brothers were not speeding. He also made it clear that he did not fall off his motorcycle, as some reported.

"My bike never went down," he said. "I stopped and he flew so far that I had enough time to put my bike back into gear and ride to where he was. I didn't want to leave my bike in the street, so I pushed it off to the side."

The defensive end is not the first NFL player to be involved in a motorcycle incident. Ben Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow Jr. are two of the more famous instances of football players incurring injuries while riding. Kiwanuka said the Giants were not aware of his hobby of riding motorcycles, and he does not think that specific language should be included in NFL contracts to prohibit the practice. Still, he said he's finished riding even if he's not contractually bound to do so.

"I won't be riding a motorcycle anytime soon," he said. "It was definitely tough to see and it was an experience that . . . I never want to be a part of again."

Notes & quotes: WR Hakeem Nicks (toe) participated in individual drills for the first time Monday and expects to be available for next week's minicamp . . . S Kenny Phillips (knee) will be held out of the minicamp but still is on track to be ready for training camp.