Interested in advertising, have a tip, suggestion, question, general comment for us or are interested in writing for the site. Just fill out the contact form and we will get back to you.
BroburySports.com is the web's leader in sports betting, offering straight bets, parlays, teasers, and more. Best of all, Brobury has great basketball betting alternatives, with very convenient deposit options.
Cheap Boston Red Sox tickets here, plus Super Bowl tickets, Mayweather v Pacquiao tickets, NFL playoff tickets, MLB spring training tickets and UFC tickets.
The best free sports picks and march madness predictions are offered daily at play by play.
Take a swing during the 2010 baseball betting season and hit a home run with live online betting odds, matchups and stats. If you’re looking for a sportsbook with MLB sports betting, schedules, super bowl odds and much more then visit SBG Global.
Online SportsGet free
sports picks and sports
odds from your favorite online
sportsbook.
Find the best sportsbook bonus to wager expert sports picks on your favorite online
sports One of the best things to do in the summer is to go to a MLB baseball game. Check out this sports tickets site out for great deals on Red Sox tickets, Yankee tickets and Cubs tickets as well as lots of other tickets. Baseball picks and to beat the
baseball
lines
when
betting on baseball at
top online sportsbooks. Get Free Sports Picks including Free Baseball Picks and Free NFL Picks as well as live NFL Odds from the best online Sportsbooks at AllSportsLocks.com!
The new year brings three important events: in February the world turns its attention to SuperBowl betting. Then, the American Baseball season begins as Spring starts. After that, the first Saturday in May presents us with Kentucky Derby betting. Looking for a great, trustworthy casino? The top online casino is Rushmore casino which accepts USA players.
When you're not following SOX and Dawgs, try fish and sharks by playing poker online.
1800-SportsGet the latest Sports Odds and Sports Wagering tips from documented professional handicappers.
Online Football Betting from the World's largest Online Sportsbook and expert NFL Football Picks from the Nation’s top handicappers.
Late in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship Game, Ryan Clark of the Pittsburgh Steelers put a vicious hit on Willis McGahee of the Baltimore Ravens.
http://www.dailymotion.com/videox82qje
McGahee was seen moving his hands when he got on the cart and the report is that he had considerable movement in his legs. Clark walked off the field with the help of his teammates.
Category: Baltimore Ravens · NFL · Pittsburgh Steelers · Videos
This entry was posted on Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 10:15 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
RIP Jasper Howard 1989-2009
Houston Rodeo Tickets: Myticketin is Houston's #1 Source for Houston Tickets, Rodeo Tickets.
Check out our wide inventory of Red Sox memorabilia including your favorite Ortiz jersey, all are guaranteed to be authentic and have certificates.
© 2005–2010 SOX & Dawgs — Cutline by Chris Pearson
what a hit
man this is a monstrous hit…helmet to helmet is a dangerous thing in football. i played for 4 years and was starting outside LB and received a nice lick from a halfback when i was blitzing the QB at full speed. i was out for like 4 mins completely blacked out. i woke up in the medical room at the school and i just remembered getting rocked. then i heared we collided face-mask to face-mask and the other guy was on his way to state hospital. i quit football after that season, lawl
That was BULL crap. I heard that Clark will probably get charged $20,000 for the hit BUT WHY DID THEY GET THE BALL THEN? Why did it got get reviewed DURING the game. They wait until a few days after to review it and issue the penalty? That’s bull. I’m not saying the Ravens would have won if that didn’t happen, I’m calling it FOUL play though.
NOT** get reviewed during the game**
the hit was clearly clean he tried hitting him as hard as he could, that is his job! he wanted to hit him with his shoulder but his face-mask managed to get in there and unfortunately McGahee got hurt
b.s face mask. it was the top of his helmet and was a blatant spear. look and the sideline view of the hit and it clearly shows top of helmet to side of helmet. i have no love for either team, but objectively saw it that way.
No matter what we think though, the NFL ruled it a clean hit.
He led with his shoulder so I don’t see how he would get fined for that. They both braced for the hit and that’s how the helmet-to-helmet happened.
It’s been since reviewed as helmet to helmet before shoulder.
Thanks hope. I changed the channel right after the interception by Troy Polamalu and had the television muted before that.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming days with a fine.
Did the review show whether or not it was a catch? Because to me it was a catch, a fumble, and the Steelers recovered.
It was a fumble after Clark knocked Mcgahee’s lights out. If that was called penalty at the time like it should have, the Ravens would have still had a chance to run the ball. I’m not saying they would have won, there was just that chance. The Ravens didn’t play their best and the Steelers did, plain out. I’m just really upset about that play :/
Ian – 54 seconds in, watch the clip again. If you call that leading with your shoulder, you need thicker glasses. Fo real.
No, it was not helmet-to-helmet and he is not getting fined for it. It was a clean hit.
We’ll see as the days go by…
Wasn’t Clark recently fined for a hard hit to Welker?
Clark wasn’t fined for the hit on Welker. The NFL ruled it was within the rules.
In all fairness, it did look like he attempted to hit with his shoulder, but his momentum just carried him through. I do, however agree there should be a fine, despite his effort to maybe stop it, because it is dangerous and needs to be penalized, and we all know he can easily afford the fine. But I agree with hope.
The reason the helmet to helmet happened was because McGahee lowered his helmet! Clark went in with his shoulder lowered and the h2h contact was incidental and legal. H2H is only illegal on the QB or a defenseless receiver. This is the NFL. Big hits happen and this was legal.
I remember when football games used to be rough. Now they are controlled and commercialized. These guys chose to be out there. Offense should expect to get hit. Defense should expect to have more personal fouls/fines. These rules though, take away the grid iron wars that used to be on every Sunday.
I love the people who say this was NOT helmet to helmet. . . For those people, please reply and post what you think helmet to helmet is exactly? Clark is known for these ILLEGAL hits. He lowers his shoulders, leads with his helmet and catches McGahee WITH HIS HELMET directly on McGahee’s head. It was clear of Clarks intentions. Hopefully he is suspended and will not be playing in the Super Bowl. Hopefully, McGahee is allowed to press charges depending on how his life and then career turn out. This is the garbage the NFL doesn’t need. Also, how about the roughing the punter call? wow… It is said Defense Wins Championships – well it’s also clear Referees Win Championships also.
haha definitely whining …… this is professional football…. your calling an unbelievable hit garbage no flag was thrown he did not lead with his head… yeah it was helmet to helmet but he was not leading with the head… if the NFL decides to fine him then so be it…. it was unfortunate that McGahee was injured like that but come on thats the risk you assume stepping on the field
RAVENS fans complaining about dirty hits? HAHAHAHAHA, now I’ve seen it all!
Not a Ravens fan… or a Steelers fan. Just a football fan. Upsets me when I see stuff like a roughing the punter called on one team that was the worst call of the season (per the announcer) and then a hit like that goes uncalled.
Legal hit. Unfortunate and difficult to watch, as were ALL the injuries in the game including the helmet to the Ben’s back. They’re big boys.
yeah I’m sure Ray Lewis NEVER did anything like that !!!!
Its proffesional FOOTBALL! I love the big hits as long as no one gets seriously hurt. If you have ever played the game then you understand what I mean.
i agree with jerrylee 100 percent i have played and only people who have actually played understand the raw power and beauty behind a hit like that….. and obviously you never wanna see anyone get hurt because thats never a good thing for anybody
understand the raw power and beauty? pff i have played too and dont see how u can descibe the tackle as that. clark felt the impact of this tackle badly too, i doubt he would call it beautiful right about now.
After careful review of the video, I have changed my mind. It really looks like Clark tried to lead in with his shoulder but McGahee lowered his head as he tried to brace himself.
i am a football playa……i play on dah football team !
It’s tackle….in flag football it would have been a penalty, but this is tackle. If you don’t want to get tackled, play flag football.
I just hope the guy that got creamed is a democrat and misses the coronation on Wednesday.
Clark shouldnt be able to play in the Superbowl!! He could of killed McGahee. He is famous for dirty moves like that.
Has anyone heard how Willis is doing?
This is what the AP is reporting and it seems to be the only thing I can find:
The Ravens said he had “significant neck pain” but movement in his arms and legs.
Jeff: Im guessing your are a Steelers fan. “The guy who got creamed” has a name, its McGahee so use it. Democrats rock
Wow. Folks who are calling this a dirty hit have got to be kidding. Obviously Clark is leading with his shoulder and McGahee, seeing the hit coming rolls up and ducks his head straight into the hit (amplifying the power of the hit, btw).
I’m glad to see that McGahee is okay. The whining must end though. You people are ridiculous.
I like to whine, whinings my favorite. Clark has a history of doing dirty things like that…
I am Amazed at the entire Fan biased opinions that are going back & forth, I guess that is how Hard Core Fans are though. There is no Right or Wrong when it comes to their own Team. It is called “The End Justifies the means”.
All that the viewers saw was a Slow Motion Replay, Not one in real time speed. No one’s reflexes are Fast enough to adjust to that type NFL speed. The players are taught through their Careers how to hit and how to protect. Some are taught wrong and most are taught right, and it all becomes instinctive. Comments regarding the Running Back putting his head down or the DB leading with his shoulder are the possible intentions, but it didn’t end up that way. The Final result was Helmet to Helmet contact.
I read from news sources that Clark is notorious for Vicious Hits and has been Fined before, as is yet to be determined this time. They made this, Missile type of leading with the Head 1st hit, illegal long ago. Everyone gets reviewed for this type of hit and usually gets Fined later! Let the NFL figure it out. At least they usually come up with the proper call. The fact is that this type of call is rarely penalized on the field of play & would not have changed the outcome of the game.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9100534/McGahee-leaves-field-on-stretcher-after-hit latest update. . . Exactly what Ian has said. Good to know he’s going to be ok. Thing is, whether you call this a dirty hit or not – it was helmet to helmet (intentional or not). I love the hard hits (like the block on Rice earlier, HUGE hit); however, the NFL does need to regulate these types of blows. In the NHL, a high stick to the face is a high stick. Whether it was intentional or not. Let one go and it opens the doors for others. Clark should have been penalized, for unnecessary roughness if nothing else. Whether he should be fined or suspended, lets let the NFL commish decide that.
Roughing the Punter Here’s the one I think the NFL really needs to review. I just don’t understand how that is a 15 yard automatic first down and Clark’s hit is a perfectly legal hit. We all need to stick to hockey, that’s whats up.
not to say it was intentional or not, but tell me how you expect people to believe he led with his shoulder? if that was the case it wouldn’t have been a helmet to helmet. it was a penalty. fine or no fine, the rule is in place to protect players.
So, I do find it hard to beleive so many of you are arguing intentional/not intentional, led with shoulder / led with helmet. Watch the video: it was a hard hit and there was really no other way for Clark to make the play short of letting McGahee past him. RC DID NOT lead with the helmet, he actually started to turn his shoulder into McGahee rather than squaring up. Be reasonable. This play was also NEVER review by the NFL and deemed an illegal hit, nor will RC get fined for this.
I can guarantee you that Willis McGahee won’t whine about this hit, nor will any of the Ravens team. They know it’s football and what is dirty and what isn’t. That hit wasn’t. So why don’t you all SHUT UP ABOUT IT AND WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING USEFUL!!!
Yup, it was dirty. Its a free county and I’ll worry about it if I want to. I did my 4 years for my county to have a freedom of speech.
“4 years for my county”? You don’t get freedom of speech from going to prison.
Well, I guess the 4 years that I spent in the military could called prison. Thanks for showing support for a disabled vet from the war with saying I was in prison.
Clark got fined $7,500 this season for a helmet to helmet hit on Matt Jones from the Jags.
He clearly demonstrates a propensity to hit with his helmet.
Clark did not torpedo like Lott and old-school safeties used to and it’s clear that he didn’t try to go strictly helmet-to-helmet. Most NFL fans, including me, wanted to see a physical game – I was thrilled to see that big hit until they didn’t get up.
SSs and FSs aren’t known for WR-like body-control and I don’t expect it from them when they’re running full speed to make a tackle. That said, I pray that Willis is fine and will get back and better like he did after that knee injury.
The closing speed between Clark and McGahee is incredible. You can see Clark, who is squared up when McGahee catches the ball, begins to twist and is damned near sideways when he finally hits him. Clark is leading with the point of his shoulder, and it is McGahee’s position that leads to the helmet to helmet contact. If Clark had wanted to lead with his helmet he would not have twisted.
Anybody who has played knows how uncommon it is for two players to hit each other head on at full speed. There is usually some kind of angle between the two players. It’s clear from the video that Clark is trying to lead with his shoulder. Doesn’t matter what he’s done in the past, when he reaches McGahee his shoulder is the furthest part of his body foreward. Unfortunately, McGahee drops his head to plow through the tackle and makes his head the part of his body furthest foreward.
It is possible for players to get hurt on clean plays. So stop the whining about dirty hits. Or maybe start watching bowling or competitive crochet, it might be more your speed.
HA! Are you kidding me? You blame McGahee for dropping his head? You want to go on record as saying McGahee did something out of the norm? What exactly would you do in Willis McGahee’s cleats? That’s right, catch, turn, see Clark and instinctively protect your head and drop it down. I’m sorry I just can’t believe you read this website and you’re actually going to defend Ryan Clark of all people. I mean, you did see his hit on Welker right? He tackles with his helmet, he didn’t try to lead with his shoulder, no matter what you think you see in the replay (yes, I’ve seen it plenty like you).
Oh sure, I can see how that play could be seen as clean. Just like you could argue Bernard Pollard’s belly-flop knee-shot on Brady was clean too. Sure, but if you do choose to ignore how flagrant these kind of hits really are you are forgetting these guys are professionals and they know how to play within the rules and how not to. Guys like Ryan Clark know how to tackle with their arms, if they want to.
Ban Ryan Clark from the league, honestly.
His hit on Welker, same circumstance where he had PLENTY of time to line up and wrap up the receiver but, no, instead chooses to torpedo his helmet to others potential brain damage. Why? Cause he sucks as safety/db, he’s small and can’t stop guys with his arms, so he attempts to break their faces.
“I think this year you give me my opportunities, and then you’ve got the guy in New England – who everybody seems to love – I think it just got a lot more pub. I mean, there are people who got their faces broken and things like that, but they didn’t get as much pub as my hit. It’s my job. It’s what I try to do every year. “ — Ryan Clark on Welker hit
Get Over It: I agree with you, no reason to think the hit was dirty when not a single professional has said or will say anything about the hit. Also, eBrigand: You’re totally right, Clark’s shoulder is the furthest forward part of his body. How anyone can call that leading with the helmet is BEYOND me. Leading with the helmet generally constitutes a spear or submarine move which Clark was so obvioulsy NOT doing. You folks need to open your eyes and look at this objectively. Seriously, his should was farthest forward = NOT leading with helmet. You’re stupid or blind if think otherwise.
Calling people stupid on the internet, geez, it’s just sort of lost its punch Balls McHenry. Ye…
Clark was obviously not leading with his helmet? Um, right. Now we’re talking about the same recorded video footage, sometimes called instant replay, crazy newfangled technology, and you may notice right before he hits Willis McGahee he crosses both his arms and brings them together towards his chest as he pushes off his right leading leg, yes turning his shoulder out somewhat, but something seems clear. Yes, he’s AIMING his helmet. This is flagrant helmet-to-helmet, i.e. using any part of a players helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protect those players who are in virtually defenseless postures.
And the hit on Chris Johnson was legit. The Ravens spout their mouths off about injuring Ward. What do you expect?
Look, no one is going to go out their and intentionally try to paralyze someone with H2H, not to mention damn near kill themselves in the process.
It happens. Period. Ravens fans complaining about a hard hitting defense battle is funny.
DOWN WITH RAY LEWIS
LOL
Hard hitting and reckless hits are two completely unique animals. It’s a shame Clark doesn’t end his own career with his reoccurring stunts.
Here you go. Helmets hit before shoulder pads and head is lowered to deliver a blow with the crown.
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6540/helmetcc9.jpg
firstly id like to say i hope willis is ok, it looked real nasty. but seriously, what the hell is wrong with you people!? its on youtube like a hundred times, clarke goes in shoulder first, willis drops his head and they collide helmet first rather than shoulder into chest. in england they play ‘tag’ rugby where instead of tackling people they rip a tag of their backs, it’s basically for girls. maybe hope and frank would prefer that in the nfl???
Atfirst I thought it was a good hard hit. Then a saw it from another angle, and some people are right, it was a cheap shot, a dirty hit.
Clark didn’t twist his body to try and give a sholder first hit, he moved to give his own body maximum protection. To me, it looked like Clark was head hunting.
McGahee saw hit hit comming, you can see him turning his head AWAY from the incoming Clark right before impact. McGahee was protecting himself, Clark was going to injure.
i read comments about most games and it makes me laugh. what i notice is that irrespective of the franhcise, irrespective of the hit, the fans of teams who’s players have taken a hit say its illegal, the fans of a of the team delivering the hit say its not.
if ray lewis had delivered that hit on willie parker we would all be having the same discussion but with role reversal. i know you will all argue otherwise but i would be willing to stake my life on it, you’re all the same.
the fact of the matter is, this is the nfl and ray lewis would deliver that hit on willie parker cos he’s commited to the ravens. likewise is clarke to the steelers. there was no malice, just a hard it in a championship game between rivals which is exactly what everyone would have expected.
1. Clark’s form is terrible. His shoulder is turned and his head is DOWN. Watch this again. If Clark makes contact with Mcgahee’s shoulder pad instead of his face mask he could be dead or seriously injured.
2. I don’t think Clark led with the head. Both players got low when they realized they were going to collide. There are several posts by former players. What are you taught to do in this case…BREAK DOWN…
3. If Clark gets fined for this hit I would also like to see a memo from the NFL go out to every Defensive coach. The memo should be titled, “How to tackle so that hits are not that big, players don’t get hurt, and players don’t run for a first down in the AFC Championship game.”
Watch this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83xZIm5u_ok
At 1:45 Tatum puts a similar hit on a player. This is not new guys. Maybe HD, TIVO and 80 cameras makes these hits seem dirty.
It’s football. You all know the risk and so do the players.
wahwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwah!!!!!! Baltimore fans you make me laugh, laugh, laugh. You have the dirtiest team in football and the minute one of your guys takes a decent hit, the tears and the sobbing and the whining just doesn’t stop. Do you hear us whining about the late hit helmet to the middle of Ben’s back? That was much dirtier in my mind than the hit on Willis. Guess what? All you people crying about “helmet to helmet”, there IS no helmet to helmet penalty on a receiver running up the field with the ball. So, no, Ryan Clark won’t get fined, just like he didn’t get fined for the much worse hit on Wes Welker. They are all clean hits, sorry if this is the first football game you’ve ever seen Spaceman Spliff. “Ban Ryan Clark from the league”? Are you nuts?
Oh and for the record, I’ve always liked Willis McGahee and I hope that he’s OK, it sounds like he’ll be fine. I’m an Ohio State guy and I remember the hit he took on his knee in the National Championship game and the fact that that guy is starting for a good NFL team is absolutely remarkable.
As a FOOTBALL fan, I’d like to jump in on the discussion here (in an, uncharacteristically, respectful manner). NFL Rule clearly states, as was, partially pointed out before:
“using any part of a players helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or face mask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protect those players who are in virtually defenseless postures.”
A few things of which we should take note. First of all, being that Clark was turned to the side before the contact happened, thus leaving his shoulder as the outermost part of his body, it clearly negates that he was trying to use any part of his helmet to “butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily;…” thus rendering the hit legal.
The other thing of which we should take note is that McGahee was not defenseless, also ruling that it was clean. Anyone who actually watched the game and not just muted versions of the footage online, would have heard the announcers analyze the hit. These were announcers who were pro-Raven all game long. Let’s face it, team loyalties aside, it was a clean hit. It is unfortunate that anyone was injured on the play but that is the risk you take in playing football. As an individual who used to play and now is a referee in High School Football, I can tell you that this is a hit that we would not deem dirty, even at the High School level.
From the Baltimore Sun on McGahee’s condition:
McGahee, who missed most of training camp after knee surgery and had a slow start to the regular season, was resting at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital last night with movement in all his limbs and was “neurologically intact,” a team spokesman said
We have seen Fidel Goodell fine players for much less than that hit (see hit on Boldin). I am not saying it was a dirty hit, what I am saying is that the way Goodell has been running the league, this is clearly a hit that will warrant a fine.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE give me football before they put dresses on the players and spike heels & makeup on the quarterback.
Those of you who can’t handle seeing contact in a contact sport need to take up watching competitive crocheting and back away from the football games. It’s not a safe sport! Deal with it, accept it, quit complaining, and love it for what it is and is intended to be or MOVE ON!
I am neither a Steelers nor a Ravens fan. That being said, the hit was clean and legal. Just because someone gets hurt, doesn’t make the play a “dirty hit”. It’s unfortunate he was hurt and it’s great that both he and Clark are ok, but it was nothing more than an accident.
As far as the rules go… it was completely legal and within the rules. Clark led with his shoulder, McGahee is the one who put his head down AND he is not considered defenseless so helmet to helmet doesn’t even apply in this situation.
The refs saw nothing illegal about the hit. The announcers all felt it was legal. Afterwards on ESPN and other news channels, everyone agreed it was legal. I have read nothing today to indicate that anyone thinks it was a dirty hit so I don’t understand why the Ranvens fans think they are right? Just sour grapes over losing? He will NOT be fined, it was NOT dirty.
And coming from the dirtiest, most hard hitting team in the league, it’s amazing that they would complain about a hard hit! Ray Lewis injures people left and right (including the Steelers Mendenhall, who missed the entire season thanks to Lewis) and gleefully brags about it! He’s boasts about having bounties on people all the time! But McGahee takes a hard hit and suddenly, the Steelers are dirty? Give me a break!
I am NOT a Steelers fan but you Ravens fans are dead wrong on this one. Your were outplayed, outcoached and outscored. Congratulate the Steelers and move on.
Everyone who seems to think it is clean hit, points out he is leading with his shoulder. Non of you clean hit defenders seem to address why he pulls both his arms in close to his body and clenches them tightly before leaving the ground “leading with his shoulder”.
Very well said. That’s how it always is.
Holy bejebus,
Has anyone on this list that’s nay-saying Clark ever played a down of football… above a high school level? On defense?
This is the game of football ladies, not tennis, not croquet, not gymnastics with that twirly thingy. Clark is the epitome of a Safety in the mould of a Mr. Lot, Mr. Atwater, Mr. Mike Brown, Mr. Duerson. Yes, they have Mr. in front of their names because they earned that respect by delivering bone-crushing hits like the one we saw last night. Is it ever purposefully done to inflict permanent injury? No, it’s done because that’s what the game of football is all about.
It makes me sad… actually more like sick, to think that all of those who rail against hard hits in football, the announcers, people who comment on lists like this one, are either those who’ve never played a down of football in their life (you know who you are chubby couch-potato who prides himself on watching every game and knowing every stat, but never had the athleticism or character to actually get on the field and do the work), or you’re probably a highschoolhometownhero who never liked getting hit and feels soooorry for the receivers.
Ladies, this is the sport of kings… and Mr. Clark deserves thanks for his part in making football the exciting and great game that it is. Long live brutal defenses, long live highlight hits… long live football.
I hope that McGahee is 100% healthy and wish him an immensely fast recovery.
Pinkharts9,
You sound like my Father-in-Law, who makes very similar comments like “Ray Lewis is a Murderer!” or “The Ravens are a Team of Criminals”. It is probable that at least 25% of all teams have Players with previous records. The Ravens have been hated since they came from Cleveland. Mostly because their Defense is outstanding year after year. You’ll also notice that they do not get the Favorable calls in most cases. Can you tell me all of the Fines assesed on Ravens Players since team inception in comparison to the rest of the League?
Are you sure your not a Pittsburg Fan or are you just 1 of those Ravens Haters. I personally love Great Defensive Teams such as the Titan’s, Ravens, Steelers, Bear’s, etc… As you know, Defense Wins games, especially Super Bowls.
FOOTBALL fan,
You did well stating the Rule. However, you fail to mention the Speed at which the game is actually played at the NFL level, Not High Schoo or College level. Regarding the Announcers, they were not Pro any Team, but trying to analize the game, in which the made many mistakes. Some of which they later corrected. I really can’t believe your 2 sided approach to your comment.
hey spaceman before you go whining about some hit in football, do you acctually know anything about it? This is a FULL CONTACT & BRUTAL sport. This is not table tennis or golf. In FULL CONTACT sports people get hurt, even killed, and yes as in all full contact sports there are cheap shots, but they signed the contract not you. Thats why we are spectators and they are NFL players. Hopefully there always will be people getting lit up in football thats part of why a FOOTBALL fan watches. I am sure everyone does not like to see what happened to players like welker, palmer, irvin, mcgahee, mendenhall, parker, and countless others, but it is a part of the game I know and love. But again thats why they sign contracts and get paid, they all know the risk. LONG LIVE FOOTBALL!!!!
lol @ the person pretending to be me. I never said I rewatched the clip and think it was accidental. It was a penalty and should be treated as one.
cramdogg77
I agree with you that football is a brutal contact sport. However, even the NFL has come down on some players and plays with fines and suspensions. Not every hit or play is just “part of football”.
The problem I have on this play is that anyone with two eyes can see on the replay that Clark is pulling his arms into his body and clenching them tightly to prepare for an impact. This is not the form a defender would normally use to try to make a tackle. They use their arms and hands, not pull them away and into their body.
The second problem I have is that Clark has a history of this type of play and has been fined by the NFL before. This is not just a one time unfortunate bi product of professional football in Clark’s case.
Kagome,
Funny how biased you are for Pittsburg. In restrospect, I saw no Whining by either Team! 2 Good Teams, 2 Good Head coaches. Just this hit should be judged at NFL real speed, which no one is mentioning.
My quick List of the on Field whiningist Head coaches: #1 Bill Cowher (Except year they won Super Bowl, just didn’t see him pout that year), #2 Jimmy Johnson (constant hand jestures of bobbling ball by opposing Receivers). #3 Bob Stoopes – Oklahoma Sooners (sorry ran out of NFL guys).
Emjay makes great point that should not be overlooked regarding Clarks Body Posture and where his arms are.
I’m pretty sure that DB’s are taught to wrap up a guy, many times as a last ditch effort, at his ankles
Well in your case that is your opinion, let the NFL decide who should get fined, who makes “illegal” hits and who should be suspended. If Clark is this maniac trying to hurt people I feel sure they will deal with him accoardingly. Until then just enjoy the game & quit complaining about things we cannot control. And yes every hit is a part of the game legal or not it is still there thats why there are fines, flags, & suspensions. Rememer a defenders job is to stop the offenceive player that is his job, if he chooses to do that in a form that is not legal he will pay, buy fine, suspension, or flag.
kramdogg77
I agree. It is now in the NFL’s hands to decide. The reason the ref’s don’t call it on the field is because the rule only applies to quarterbacks and receivers. Also, as many people have referred to the “speed” of players and the actual play it is many times too fast for the referee’s to fully see what is happening.
kramdogg77,
Softball & Baseball are NOT Full Contact Sports and players mostly Pitchers have been killed by very hard hits back at their Chest or Head that cannot be Defended. I’ve been hit in the Head at 3rd Base in “B” League due to use of Illegal bat which hit the ball so hard & fast that I was only able to turn my head slightly before I was struck. The Batter was ejected from Tournament & the Bat confiscated.
The same goes for Little league Baseball, where kids have been killed. My own nephews Spleen was Ruptured when hit by a Pitch at age 10.
The adults and kids aren’t paid or signed up to “Take it like a Man”. I’m pretty sure your one of the guys in the stand wanted to get down on the field and do some hitting of your own, but don’t where pads, cause someone might not think your a Man.
I love the Manliness of Football and I like the Big QB’s who are made to play the position, but when it comes to Foolishness & Injuries, most everyone, except Radical Fans, side on keeping All Sports as safe as possible. This is why Football Players Pad up for protection, Baseball players where cups & why Rules are made to protect Players.
I said it earlier, but you never hear about most of the old Forgotten Players who now live in constant pain and aren’t even taken care of properly by their Unions. Why? Because they just aren’t marketable as Crippled has-beens.
to the leading with the shoulder vs helmet argument – he led with his shoulder and the helmet collision was clearly unintentional.
yes he pulled his arms in tight and led with his shoulder – someone explain to me how the hell else you would lead with your shoulder. He was expecting a collision OF COURSE (its his job).
He drilled the running back who had caught the ball and was running at full speed (and he’s no slouch) in a close game and in doing so he forced a fumble and sealed the victory for his team. if you ask me he did his job and he did it extremely well.
If he had gone into that tackle with any less commitment then he would have failed. Kudos to ryan Clarke for a GREAT HIT in a tough game against a very tough opponent.
This is why these guys get paid the big bucks on both sides f the ball. The hit was clean, legal, vicious, and effective – all of the above.
I think what most fans fail to realize is that when we see it time and time again, it is in slow motion. Clark was committed at full speed, like it or not. McGahee was pushing towards full speed as well. It was unfortunate that it happened, but it is football, not the NBA. McGahee didn’t try to avoid Clark, either. Clark should have wrapped him up. Mistakes were made by both of them. I wouldn’t be surprised if either one of them gets fined for helmet to helmet, but I doubt it will happen. Not when both of them were shook up so badly.
gallowaystx
Can’t tell your a Steelers fan from your comments! (lol)
Where were you ever shown or taught that the proper way to tie up someone and make a tackle is to pull your arms in close to your body and lead with your shoulders?
Again, this is not the first time that Clark has been shown to make overly violent hits.
have you ever played football? Pads or not a good shot will always put you down. I never said we should hand players a gun to stop the opposing player. THIS IS A FULL CONTACT SPORT which means people will get hurt, pads or no pads rules or no rules. The facts are Clark laid Mcgahee out. He stopped the offence. He did his job. The NFL will decide if he in fact did anything wrong. Not YOU!!!! Thats all im trying to say. Im remember the “old forgottens ” when just a leather helmet was provided, and guess what, they still played the game, not becuase they wanted to kill each other, they loved the game & all risks envolved.
I’m a New England fan. But if all you folks saying that DBs are taught to wrap up the runner, you must not be watching the same NFL I do. Most linebackers do wrap up, but many of the DBs just try to hit/knock the runner down (maybe because of size differential or desire to lay a big hit). That’s why many times, they bounce off and runner keeps going. Also, if you want to see a helmet tackler, watch Brian Dawkins for the Eagles. He does it all the time, and I’ve never seen him turn his shoulder (how can your shoulder protect you if you’re trying to hit helmet to helmet?) Lighten up
kramdogg77
I agree, it will be up to the NFL to decide.
Just curious, not just for you but anyone on this discussion who brought it up… What part of your shoulder is so effective in tackling someone ? Seems throwing your body shoulder first at a player would be much more of an injury risk to you.
Just too clear up one thing. Ryan Clark has never been fined for anything other than putting the #21 on himself in honor of the late sean taylor by the NFL. do your research NFL.com
I stand corrected on Clark’s fine.
By the way, OJ Simpson was never convicted of murder, so I guess we should agree he is innocent.
1st, I’m not a fan of either team. I would have liked to have seen both teams lose. However, I believe the hit on McGahee was completely unnecessary. Both of these teams are known for their play to hurt players on the opposing team. The blindside block on Corie Ivy in the 2nd half also looked helmet to helmet. I think sportsmanship was forgotten by both of these teams long ago. Play clean, hard football. Forget the cheap, unnecessary shots.
i guess we should considering OJ was tried & convicted by the NFL, and not by a judge & jury. They handled it great dont u think?
To all of you whining,cry baby crows fans! Sell the 72 Nova,get a job,get rid of your food stamps,and please do something about the tub that you’ve been using as a planter in the front yard of your DUMBDALK DOUBLEWIDE! You all make me sick! You are handsdown the biggest bunch of cry sissy fans in the NFL! The hit was legal,and if your team was able to pull out yet another lucky win out of your big Glen Burnie hair,we wouldnt be handing you bright yellow TERRIBLE TOWELS to dry your tears with! And also,if the hit was delivered by one of your CHEAPSHOT ARTISTS,youd be ready to put his name up in that Tinker Toy stadium of yours! QUIT CRYIN! Oh, and enjoy the Superbowl “Hon!”
From the Baltimore Sun:
Ravens running back Willis McGahee, who was injured late in yesterday’s AFC championship game, was released from a Pittsburgh hospital this morning and has returned to Baltimore.
“[Willis] is resting at his home today. It is expected that Willis will have a complete recovery from the head and neck injuries he suffered last night,” Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said today.
Hey Ivana Puke,
Well said. You proved your own point with your comment. You are a Steelers fan and therefore are blind to any other opinion because your team won.
That play did not determine the outcome of the game anyway. However, the outcome was already decided when it occurred.
And the cryin continues!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
What I’ve notice is that it seems whatever the sport, if a team is very successful, they tend to be the most obnoxious fans. Interestingly enough, the most obnoxious of them seem to be “new” fans that seem to have discovered that team recently. Otherwise known as front runners.
By the way, I am a Giant and Dolphin, fan so I don’t have too much to cry about when it comes to NFL success. I also don’t shove it in someone’s face just because my team had a good year on a given season. Because I know, every season is new, and the next time it could be some other team that wins. This year it might even be the Arizona Cardinals.
I am with you on that Emjay. That does seem to be the trend with fans who just start rooting for the team and act like their shit don’t stink.
I’ve been a Patriots and Red Sox fan for life and I think we all know the reputation that follows them. But I try my best to objective and if I am going to make a point, I’m going to have the facts to back it up.
Everyone can have an opinion but an opinion with facts is a stronger one.
emjay, fans of successful teams tend to be obnoxious when they spend all day listening to envious bystanders bleating on about being hard done by. in the case of ravens fans, your defense is a brutal as anyone else in the nfl. dont give if you cant take.
no steelers fans on here are ’shoving their success in other peoples faces’. this comments page was flooded with ravens fans feeling sorry for themselves and seems to me steelers fans are just responding to a bunch of dimwitted ravens and people who think that players should play in protective bubbles…
Also, what Ivana Puke proves is the intelligence level is not too high on those fans. Hence, the very detailed well thought out posts and replies. lol
chrisdearing69
They also tend to not read well. Have you been reading Ivana Puke’s posts? Have you read my post to see what team’s I follow?
thats why i said ‘ravens fans’ i.e. not aimed at you, just arguing the case TO you. seems as though giants and dolphins fans arent the best readers either.
an no i hadnt read ivana puke’s posts nor was my post in any way connected to them or anything they had written
it happens in any sport with any team that is successful. those at the top are envied and generally despised. for some reason therefore their fans become obnoxious because they are always on the defensive. theres been a load of people on here saying that clarke is an animal and should be banned from the superbowl, steelers fans are hardly gona be all kisses and cuddles are they!?
chrisdearing69
Sorry for the misread. When you used the term “your” defense, I thought you meant it as in addressing me as a Raven’s fan.
no worries. maybe i should word things better…
i can read but i never said i could write!
lol
The “FACTS” are this! For one, im not a Steelers fan,and what does it matter anyway? More “FACTS”for ya! The self proclaimed “BAD BOYS” of the NFL were bitch slapped two weeks in a row,and if it were’nt for an extra 2 seconds given to the crows on one imfamous play against the Titans,we wouldnt even be discussing this,would we! Your “BAD BOYS” were droppin like flies for two weeks straight by physically superior teams! At what point in time do you crows fans put down the Natty Boh,stop belly aching, and admit that you,ve been extremely lucky this year and ultimately GOT YOUR BUTTS KICKED when it counted! But please keep responding,because you only continue to prove the one thing all NFL fans already know! crows fans are handsdown the biggest bunch of cry baby fans in the league! Now enjoy the remainder of your evening in your trailer park in Rosedale! Im going to watch the purple and black get “JACKED UP” on Sportscenter!
Clark WILL NOT be fined for the hit on McGahee:
A league spokesman explained today why Clark won’t be fined for the McGahee hit:
McGahee’s not whining about the hit. Ravens aren’t whining.
So why are all of you?
And, oh, what do you know: league officials have deemed the hit legal because it’s football, not badminton.
Just because helmets collide does not mean a tackle was led with a helmet.
Man, I don’t know how one can look at that hit and say that Clark was NOT leading with his helmet.
After watching it real-time last night, I thought McGehee could have been considered a defenseless receiver. But watching the replay you can see he began to duck his head in anticipation of helmet-to-helmet contact. I think that may have made it worse for him.
On reflection, it seems to have been a legal football hit.
Now, for disclaimers and such. I am a Ravens fan. I played college football (Slippery Rock 73 to 75). I cheered whenever the Steelers beat the Oakland Raiders in the 70s. I have played rugby for over 25 years now. Contact sports absolutely rule!
Rugby does not allow head-high tackles. It is considered “dangerous play.” Nor is a player allowed to pick a ball carrier off the ground and turn his body more that 90 degrees. In large part due to the fact they rugby players wear no football-style padding, most head-on tackles are form-tackles, basically the way most of us were taught to tackle in football – shoulder in the gut, wrap your arms, lift and then drive the runner backward. Rugby wants to avoid a tackler from severely injuring players by lifting the ball carrier and driving his head into the ground.
Football is a great great game. Man, I love to watch the guys hit. Sweed had an awesome hit on Corey Ivy; Bart Scott hammered Willie Parker. Great stuff — perfect NFL hits.
Guys leading with their heads — not so smart. Hell, Clark could’ve broken HIS neck.
Anyone remember Jack Tatum’s Hit on Darryl Stingley?
EMJAY
Your one to talk about Ivana’s intel when i schooled you twice today. I guess Giant & Dolphins fans just as intelligent as Pittsburghs. Like I said before let the NFL decide, and as in the case with Wes they found him innocent. We might not like it but thats reality.
Did you not read the comments and see that the NFL has already said it was a legal hit.
The NFL and the Steelers do not need this kind of crap and sh***tty players like these. Football is a tough sport? Yes. But you do not need to be noticed by knocking out players like that, putting his life in risk, and pretending to getting applause and praise. Why this lousy DB doesn´t try harder to play better, as Polamalu does? Polamalu is a tough hitter, without being dirty, but besides that he is an excellent DB and a firece and technical competitor
henry
Do you even watch football? Just a few weeks ago Polamalu hit Chris Johnson fully extended and clearly hit with helmet and shoulder. Polamalu is often seen springing straight ahead, yes arms extended but clearly his helmet often makes good contact. Next time you acually watch football LOOK at any teams helmets they are completly scarred at the end of the game and its not from blades of grass I assure you. Bye the way I seen the game on Sun. the Pittburgh fans did not seem to be giving Clark to much praise accually it was pretty quite. They even cheered as Mcgahee was taken off the feild. Just as the NFL ruled clean hit, hats off to Clark.
Hey Kramdog77,
Your comparing my not knowing that Clark hadn’t been fined for his other questionable hits to Ivana’s comment of:
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
You win. I have to stop writing in complete sentences because the people on this board can’t seem to handle it.
Besides, I thought we had agreed on some stuff.
mcgahee lowered his head as clark ran into him so it was mcgahees fault if he got knocked the fuck out but thats how the gams played
I realize this will probably not get read by anyone, but I am so furious at these posts I need to respond.
This hit was not a penalty nor will it ever be a penalty. Clark is renown for these kinds of hits. He tees off on a receiver and buries his shoulder into their midsection. Watch the hit on Welke if you want to see it done right. But in this hit, McGahee leans forward in an attempt to gain more yardage. That puts both of their heads on a collision course, something CLARK didn’t like very much either.
Why would Clark lead with the side of his helmet? Clark’s intention was not to render himself unconscious. I think that would seem obvious to people. There is no helmet-helmet rule on downfield hits for exactly this reason, Clark can’t control where McGahee’s head was when he hit him. Unfortunately for BOTH of them, it was in direct contact with Clark’s head.
Has anybody ever considered what would have happened if Clark (the SAFETY) had MISSED that tackle? McGahee might have gone the distance.
One poster suggested that there should be a rule about helmet to helmet contact downfield, and I agree that is a possible solution. But right now, the only rule I know of on big hits is that you can’t launch yourself at another player or spear them with your helmet. There is no question this wasn’t spearing.
I am a huge Steelers fan, but I also love the game, and I thought Clark’s shot on Welke was cheap, the ball was already on the ground. I feel personally that this collision is the result of Clark trying too hard to make the big hit, but it was within NFL rules, and it DID result in a turnover that ended the game, a game that could have become competitive again if the game continued (though it was not likely to).
i think mcgahee should quit after that mean lick i thought he was paralyzed.
i fell sorry for clark now r lewis will probley come after him like he did the poor guy in atlanta ga a few years a go and take him out
dam it was a good hit loved it
Welcome to the modern era of the Roman Coliseum. Whether it is fighting in the NHL, crashes in NASCAR, head hunting by pitchers in the MLB, flagrant fouls in the NBA, or hits with the intent to injure in the NFL, just so long as it is not you or one of your loved ones then it is just part of the game. It is especially okay when it is your team doling out the punishment.
Professional sports have no moral or ethical standards for player behavior, it is just all about winning and the greed that goes along with that result. Similar thought processes are exactly why our country sits in the economic quagmire it is today. Is it any wonder why the next generation will be even worse, after all, look at their roll models. We send street thugs and gang members to college for training to become professional athletes, and when they finish their professional tour we send them to prison.
Violence leads to more violence, just look at the Middle East or any street gang in this country. So when the NFL allows hits like that of Ryan Clark, you can expect the next one will be even worse, until someone ends up spending the rest of their life in a wheelchair eating food through a straw. But who cares, just so long as all the armchair wizards think its okay, and hopefully they are not the ones coaching your kids to do the same.
you guys need to watch some of the football from the 60’s and 70’s. The hit was vicious, yes, but compared to some of the things that happened then, it was relatively mild. Is anyone here even old enough to remember Jack Lambert and Jack Tatum, among others? The hit was not led with the helmet, and in fact he had his head tilted away from McGahee when it started. Willis lowered his head to try and run him over, as any good running back is wont to do. It was unfortunate, scary and sobering, but far from illegal or dirty.
As for Ryan Clark, even Welker said it was a clean hit, so why is it when Dawkins lowers the boom its a big hit, but when clark does it is dirty? And I am not even a Steeler fan.
Yup, I remember those players and the brutal 1970s. That is when Darrell Stingley was paralyzed by a hit.
Maybe they should all wear jello helmets, wear double the pads, and in the process…. Let’s go ahead and ban running from the game…
You’re all a bunch of damn children. Stop crying about illegal hits. He hit him, did his job, and someone got hurt. Welcome to the NFL. If you think they went into this expecting to retire at 40 and play golf until they’re dead, then you’re an idiot. This is a man’s sport, not some little girl’s game. Grow a pair and stop your sissy BS.
hell ya tell them they get paid big money they should be hitting hard and more ofteh if you can not hit with the big boys stay on the benach
It’s pretty clear that clark was just trying to knock mcgahee out of the game and succeeded. There’s a difference in a hard hit trying to tackle or cause someone to drop a pass and a hit where you’re launching your body head first into someone who’s not looking. He was trying to hurt someone and that’s exactly what he did. but this is the NFL and fans want to hear the clown that says ” HE GOT JACKED UP ” so there will be no fine and people will continue to be hit like this. Clark deserves a fine and there will come a time where payback will come his way.
It was so nice driving to work this morning and not have to see those stupid purple car flags flying everywhere! Oh, to all you tree huggin football fans! THERE WILL BE NO FINE! I REST MY CASE! And thanks to those who defended my comments. As for those of you that didnt,who cares! You’re probably the same people who were crushed on the football field when you played.(if you played that is! kinda doubt it!)
And as for the hit on wes welker. Its pure comedy there was no fine for that. Ball on the floor everyone slowed up EXCEPT for clark who took the cheap shot. But hey if that’s the way so called BIG HITTERS try to make a name for themselves and the NFL allows this then whatever.
don’t worry steelers. KARMA : )
Straight out of the NFL Rulebook, it is a 15 yard penalty for
- A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an opponent.
- Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily.
it was a clean hit
-If the helmet to helmet hit is to be fined, then what about Bart Scott’s hit on Willie Parker? That was blatant, crown of the helmet square into Parker’s facemask head on. Check out NFL.com and go to the Top 10 Plays. It starts at 1:25 and shows it at different speeds and angles. I absolutely dare you to watch this clip and tell me Scott wasn’t leading with his helmet.
-Every stinking Ravens fan crying about this needs to check their own team out. Yeah, you didn’t like Clark’s hit on McGahee. But just like Coach Ditka said years ago. “Football isn’t a contact sport. It’s a collision sport.” I for one am glad McGahee is doing better because I for one don’t want to see anyone seriously or permanently hurt.
well, I tried to post an emai!!!l about some so called rapper JAY ZEE and his stupid comments about his elation in refference to our newly elected President! Well guess what jay zee! Their are plenty of people who are elated about the election of our new President,however,we were somehow able to express our happiness without making offensive comments! You are an embarrassment to everything that bleeds red white and blue! Thanks for turning Dr. King over in his grave as we speak! Sox and Dawgs, please post this in the name of all who are united regardless of race,color,or creed!
I am likewise upset about that play. Ravens got out played, plain and simple. But that hit could have killed someone. Intentional or not, that should be more than a fine.
Ryan Clark lowered his shoulder as he went into the tackle and it was a clean hit. This is the NFL. Morons.
Nice with the name calling … real mature….. must be a steelers fan.. They boo their own players for goodness sakes…
how can people say that was intentional….. this is football people yes he was looking to hit him hard but what safety isnt looking for that type of hit… he wasnt trying to hurt him though thats just a risk that they assume when they catch the ball going over the middle he led with the shoulder and they happened to hit helmets…… it happens……. it was a clean old school punishing smack…… i hope mcgahee is okay but that was a clean hit , and that game was over after polamalu ran that pick back lets be real about that
I’m not going to argue that it’s not helmet-to-helmet. That was my initial thought before watching the video a few more times. I still don’t think it was an intentional helmet-to-helmet though.