Ridley Fumble - Proof

**CptJesus** · 01-21-2013, 01:21 AM

http://i.imgur.com/ePI1GKR.jpg

Show this picture to anyone who tells you that Ridley was down before he fumbles. At this point, Ridley is losing control of the ball and has not touched down at any point. Grabbed this myself from the footage.

**alienrace** · 01-21-2013, 01:42 AM

I was really worried they'd overturn it given the one sided nature of the officiating to that point, but they got it right.

IMO, that might have been the play were the Ravens "won" the game. Seemed like after that, and the Ravens quick score, the Pats looked like they wanted nothing to do with the Ravens.

**Gronkey Kong** · 01-21-2013, 01:46 AM

Pretty obvious fumble to me

**CptJesus** · 01-21-2013, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by Gronkey Kong

Pretty obvious fumble to me

Tell that to the myriad pats fans I've been arguing with all night =P

**Raving Sports Fan** · 01-21-2013, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by alienrace

I was really worried they'd overturn it given the one sided nature of the officiating to that point, but they got it right.

IMO, that might have been the play were the Ravens "won" the game. Seemed like after that, and the Ravens quick score, the Pats looked like they wanted nothing to do with the Ravens.

I was worried about the same I slowed the DVR down to frame by frame and I thought his leg/butt was down. Either way we got a break and scored a TD. Gotta love Pollard. Boston fans on National radio are going nuts

**Beau Petard** · 01-21-2013, 08:35 AM

Regardless, I hope Ridley is okay. From our vantage point watching the tube, it appeared that the hit was not so much Pollard trying to hurt Ridley as it seemed Ridley ducked his helmet down (unintentionally) and hit Pollard. Watching it in live action made me cringe and I knew there would be a consequence. Hopefully he doesn't suffer any serious harm.

**KbubbaK** · 01-21-2013, 08:41 AM

Looks like he still has the ball to me.

**CptJesus** · 01-21-2013, 10:58 AM

http://postimage.org/image/brmt9zsv9/

Heres another frame. Hes still not down, and the ball is definitely not in his control.

**ctulb** · 01-21-2013, 10:59 AM

Stevan Ridley (@StevanRidley) tweeted at 4:18 PM on Mon, Jan 21, 2013:
@TorreySmithWR appreciate your prayers and concerns! Ya boy caught me.. can't lie lol, but good luck to you and the Ravens in the bowl!
(https://twitter.com/StevanRidley/sta...92096885370880)

Glad he's okay

**esmd** · 01-21-2013, 11:13 AM

Hmmmm....I'm just wondering how Ridley sent his text back in time....

**ctulb** · 01-21-2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by esmd

Hmmmm....I'm just wondering how Ridley sent his text back in time....

Because I'm sat in London?

**Haloti92** · 01-21-2013, 11:26 AM

It was about as close as it gets. There is obviously judgment call to be made as to when he lost control of the ball. In both the images shown one could argue he was still holding it, though the second image the ball is away from his forearm (but still has the hand sort of capped on the end of the ball). But even a few frames further when the ball actually hits his leg, his other leg is bent like a hurdler but still not quite touching the ground, and neither is his ass. But it was an uber-close call. I wouldn't have been surprised in the least if they overturned it, in fact, I was expecting them to.

**Hammerhead** · 01-21-2013, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by CptJesus

http://postimage.org/image/brmt9zsv9/

Heres another frame. Hes still not down, and the ball is definitely not in his control.

That's the one that shows it. His shin/knee dislodges the ball right before his body touches the ground. The refs had a clear look at it as did everybody else. Not much controversy here.

**PerpetuallyBored74** · 01-21-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by KbubbaK

Looks like he still has the ball to me.

Look closely at his hand: notice how his fingers are fully extended?
You can't hold the ball with your hand opened up like that.
The ball also appears to have slipped back against his wrist--again impossible to hold a football when it's fat middle is up against your wrist.

It was a fumble--the official after the replay review announced that it had been confirmed, not just that the play stood as called.
He's not going to say 'confirmed' unless he clearly saw that it was a fumble.

EDIT: this was in reference to the 1st picture:
http://i.imgur.com/ePI1GKR.jpg

**JCroUSAF** · 01-21-2013, 11:49 AM

Quick question. That hit could have been flagged, if it was would that negate the fumble? Just curious. I know that the runner lowered his head and all but with the refs being ticky tacky it could have gone either way. Jw

**RavnFreek** · 01-21-2013, 11:50 AM

The man was completely unconscious before he hit the ground. Even if it looked like it was in his hand,it was not in his possession.

**Haloti92** · 01-21-2013, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by JCroUSAF

Quick question. That hit could have been flagged, if it was would that negate the fumble? Just curious. I know that the runner lowered his head and all but with the refs being ticky tacky it could have gone either way. Jw

That hit was perfectly legal. I don't see any way that could have been flagged according to any rule.

That said, if the hit were flagged it would have negated the fumble for sure. Only a post-play foul like if someone decked a player around the scrum, etc, would have let the fumble recovery stand (and assessed the penalty yardage from the spot of the fumble recovery with us starting on offense 1st and 10).

**alienrace** · 01-21-2013, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by JCroUSAF

Quick question. That hit could have been flagged, if it was would that negate the fumble? Just curious. I know that the runner lowered his head and all but with the refs being ticky tacky it could have gone either way. Jw

No, it couldn't have been flagged. Those rules don't apply to runners.

**alienrace** · 01-21-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by PerpetuallyBored74

Look closely at his hand: notice how his fingers are fully extended?
You can't hold the ball with your hand opened up like that.
The ball also appears to have slipped back against his wrist--again impossible to hold a football when it's fat middle is up against your wrist.

It was a fumble--the official after the replay review announced that it had been confirmed, not just that the play stood as called.
He's not going to say 'confirmed' unless he clearly saw that it was a fumble.

EDIT: this was in reference to the 1st picture:
http://i.imgur.com/ePI1GKR.jpg

Yup, his fingers are clearly off of the ball, and butt is off of the ground.

**pslholder96** · 01-21-2013, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by JCroUSAF

Quick question. That hit could have been flagged, if it was would that negate the fumble? Just curious. I know that the runner lowered his head and all but with the refs being ticky tacky it could have gone either way. Jw

Helmet to Helmet only applies to a defenseless receiver not a running back running with the ball