McGahee 'neurologically intact' after scary hit

PITTSBURGH -- Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee suffered a devastating hit from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark in the final minutes of the Ravens' AFC title game loss. He's "neurologically intact," according to Ravens team officials.

Although McGahee remained down on the ground for several minutes with "significant neck pain" while players from both sides prayed for him in a highly emotional moment, the Ravens said he has movement in his arms and legs. He was carted off the field with his upper body immobilized.

Team spokesman Kevin Byrne said that McGahee was transported to a local hospital in Pittsburgh and was scheduled to remain overnight to undergo a battery of tests with Ravens team Dr. Leigh Ann Curl staying with him to observe his condition. There's concern that McGahee may have bruised his spine.

"This is football," Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "We're just praying he's all right. He's talking and moving, so that's good. We just hope he'll be all right."

McGahee caught a pass and took a pair of steps before Clark unloaded on him with a helmet-to-helmet hit. McGahee's neck snapped backwards. He immediately fell to the ground and didn't seem to be moving initially.

While McGahee was being lifted onto a stretcher and carted off the field, he was able to move his hands and talk, joining hands with free safety Ed Reed before being taken to the locker room. McGahee scored both of the Ravens' touchdowns and finished with a game-high 60 rushing yards.

"It was a heckuva hit," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "Willis made a really nice play leading up to that. Your first thought obviously is concern for Willis, for any player.

"As we heard the doctor talk and saw him moving around, we thought he's going to be okay. Both sides obviously had concerns, but we were happy it was not immediately serious at that point.

Added running back Ray Rice:  "It was just a freak hit. I've learned a lot from Willis this year. I just wish the best for him; he's been like a brother to me. It was a hard hit, head-on collision. It was good to see him moving. It was good to see him talking. I think he's going to be fine. My prayers are with him."

The hit also left Clark noticeably groggy. He struggled to make his way off the field with the assistance of Steelers trainers and appeared dazed. The Steelers were also worried about McGahee.


"We hope that Willis is okay," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "We're keeping him in our prayers. I know how scary that is. I started getting a little emotional when I saw him down there and the cart was coming out. That's the nature of this rivalry."

(ravens24x7.com)