Ryan Clark Will Not Be Fined for Lighting Up Willis McGahee

There are still ongoing internet discussions concerning the legality of Ryan Clark's brutal collision with Willis McGahee in Sunday's AFC Championship game. While some people saw Clark lead with his helmet, others think he led with his shoulder. Fines and suspensions have been discussed by those in the former camp, while those in the latter scoff at the notion of either.

We now know where the NFL stands, as Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe has acquired a statement from a league spokesman.

"[McGahee] had completed the catch and was a runner. Helmet-to-helmet contact is legal in that situation as it is for any ball carrier (running back, quarterback, or receiver). Helmet-to-helmet contact is prohibited against defenseless players (defined as a receiver in the process of making a catch or a quarterback in the act of passing)."

I have to say, that sounded really, really familiar -- albeit a bit more succinct -- didn't it?

The reality of the situation is that McGahee got completely crushed by Clark, but it was legal. Remember, football is a contact sport. I hope once McGahee is able to fully recover and distance himself from the hit, he would echo those sentiments.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-19-2009 @ 10:42PM

Donnie said...

A perfectly legal hit. McGahee is a tough guy and an even stronger competitor. I'm sure that once he looks at the film, he will agree that there was nothing wrong with what Clark did.

1-19-2009 @ 11:29PM

Trayci Stephenson said...

If you watch the replay closely, Clark went in to lead with his shoulder and Willis actually lowered his head into the collision, but it looks like he was trying to get down low enough to go shoulder to shoulder and try to tackle Clark. I am a die hard true blue Steelers fan and wanted the Ravens to lose but I like Willis ever since he got hurt in college and decided not to cash in on the insurance policy he had on his legs and instead had surgery and rehabbed his butt off to get a job in the NFL. He loves the game and Steelers fans can respect that. I am super glad to hear he is going to be okay!

1-20-2009 @ 12:38AM

Bernie said...

I've decided that I wish to detract my statement on your earlier article. I may have been an asshole. My bad.

Hope Willis recovers fast.

1-20-2009 @ 8:25AM

scummy2 said...

Anybody who thinks that was an illegal hit should switch to watching figure skating.

1-20-2009 @ 2:32PM

Rafael Diaz said...

What has Football become when you have people crying about a legal hit? Football is a contact sport and hard contact at that. If you don't like it go play/watch badminton and stop posting crap.

1-20-2009 @ 2:46PM

Chris said...

It was a clean hit. Every hard hit a Steeler made this was a clean hard it, period.

I attended the game and no Pittsburgh fan was happy or laughing about Willis lying on the ground. We knew was hurt bad.

Any Balitmore fan that says otherwise is a liar.

1-21-2009 @ 4:08AM

shawncsh said...

Willis got smooooooked!!!!! Wow what a hit. Keep puting out bounties. You screwed with the wrong team! How does it feel?! Go take a vacation and get healed up. You will need it when you try that same lame game next year ravens. Look who's in the Superbowl. haha suckers