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Stevan Ridley Head Injury: Bernard Pollard Knocks Out Patriots RB In AFC Championship Game (VIDEO)

Hard-Hitting Safety Knocks Out Patriots RB

Bernard Pollard did it again.

In what proved to be a key turning point -- and the scariest moment -- of the AFC Championship Game, the hard-hitting safety delivered a brutal hit in the fourth quarter that resulted in a Patriots turnover. Down 21-13 early in the final session, New England running back Stevan Ridley took off running right and broke through a hole. After gaining about five yards, Ridley braced for the impact, lowering his head, as Pollard closed in.

The helmet-to-helmet collision spun Ridley around and dropped him awkwardly to the field. Dazed as he fell, Ridley lost his grip on the ball. Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones recovered it in New England's territory. Despite the helmet-to-helmet contact, no flag was thrown for a personal foul. The Ravens had already been flagged for three personal fouls at that point, one of which was on Pollard.

Fortunately, Ridley appeared never to lose consciousness. He stayed on the ground for several minutes before walking off the field on his own. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Ridley suffered a concussion. He did not return to the game.

Four plays after the fumble, Joe Flacco threw his third touchdown pass of the game, giving Baltimore what would be an insurmountable 28-13 lead.

As Patriots fans are all too aware, Ridley isn't the first Patriots player injured after a run in with Pollard.

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Before You Go

PHOTOS: Ravens vs. Patriots
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) reacts after throwing a five-yeard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Right is New England Patriots defensive end Trevor Scott. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, reacts during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) makes an 11-yard touchdown reception against New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates reacts following a touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates after an 11-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) reacts after the Ravens recovered a fumble during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates after an 11-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks up at the scoreboard during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) reacts following a five-yard touchdown reception during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) is chased by New England Patriots middle linebacker Brandon Spikes following a reception during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco celebrates with Matt Birk (77) and Marshal Yanda (73) after after throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
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Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Mike Rivera during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
John Harbaugh(15 of51)
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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh argues a call during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
Stephen Gostkowski(16 of51)
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New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski watches a 25-yard field goal during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, runs with the ball while being chased by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is congratulated by Brandon Bolden after Welker scored a touchdown during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is congratulated by Tom Brady after catching a one-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed (20) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
Ray Rice, Dont'a Hightower(24 of51)
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Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) goes in for a two-yard touchdown run against New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen, left, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is pressured by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen (34) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) and Ray Lewis (52) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
Ray Rice(28 of51)
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Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs with the ball during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) reacts after making a catch for a first down against Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, left, runs out of the tackle of Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd makes a catch during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) (credit:AP)
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New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) kicks a 32-yard field goal during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia) (credit:AP)
Corey Graham, Wes Welker(33 of51)
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New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) dives while being defended by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Graham (24) during the first half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
Bill Belichick(34 of51)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches warm-ups before the NFL football AFC Championship football gameagainst the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (credit:AP)
Ray Lewis(35 of51)
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Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis warms up before the NFL football AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (credit:AP)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(36 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(37 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(38 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(39 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against Corey Graham #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(40 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(41 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(42 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Aaron Hernandez #81 of the New England Patriots celebrates a first down catch against Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(43 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Bernard Pierce #30 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against Kyle Arrington #24 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(44 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots catches a pass over Bernard Pollard #31 and Corey Graham #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(45 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta #88 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(46 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Brandon Spikes #55 of the New England Patriots tackles Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(47 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(48 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Dennis Pitta #88 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a touchdown pass by Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(49 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Dennis Pitta #88 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammate Ed Dickson #84 after catching a touchdown pass by Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(50 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots(51 of51)
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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Marquice Cole #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates with his teammates after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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