In a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots on November 30, 2008, Steelers safety Ryan Clark laid a big hit on Patriots receiver Wes Welker near the end of the third quarter. Clark was called for an unnecessary roughness personal foul and the Steelers were penalized 15 yards. Welker had to leave the game and did not return.ESPN.com: Turnovers doom Cassel, Patriots against steady Steelers (November 30, 2008)
Ryan Clark on the Hit
"They (officials) said don't leave your feet. If anybody watches the other games we played, I don't turn any of them down. It's not like I'm trying to be cheap. If anybody comes across, it's my job to tackle him, it's my job to hit him."ESPN.com: Turnovers doom Cassel, Patriots against steady Steelers (November 30, 2008)
"The ball got tipped; he said I shouldn't have left my feet. But I don't really know how to control that. I talked to Kevin Faulk and some other guys, I told them I apologize. I couldn't find Welker after the game to tell him I wasn't trying to be dirty, it was just football."ESPN.com: Turnovers doom Cassel, Patriots against steady Steelers (November 30, 2008)