The foundation at Heinz Field shook late in the fourth quarter as fans danced and screamed and delighted in the Steelers impending victory.Everyone who wore black and gold was thinking about another Steelers appearance in the Super Bowl.
Safety Ryan Clark stepped in to make the tackle, his helmet had been collided with McGahee’s helmet. The impact was so forceful and powerful.After the accident,the stadium that seconds earlier had been so filled with celebration went silent.
It remains to be seen whether the league characterizes the hit from Clark as a violation of the rules. It wasn’t a classic helmet-to-helmet hit; McGahee seemed to drop his head as Clark was approaching, and Clark appears to try to lead with his shoulder.
“It was a freak hit,It was tough to watch. He’s like a brother to me.” said Baltimore’s Ray Rice,
Rice said McGahee played through myriad injuries this season. By the time he lay on the field Sunday, with 3 minutes 9 seconds remaining in the game, he had carried 20 times for 60 yards.
After the collision, McGahee had movement in his arms and legs. He was talking to team doctors. After several minutes, he was carted off the field.
The collision marked another injury on another big stage. In 2003, while playing in the Fiesta Bowl for the Miami Hurricanes, McGahee had gained 67 yards and scored a touchdown. He caught a screen pass in the fourth quarter and was hit immediately by a defender. The hit tore the three ligaments in McGahee’s left knee.
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