Patriots running back Stevan Ridley wasn’t made available to reporters following the AFC Championship Game, as he had been knocked out of the game by a powerful hit to the helmet delivered by Ravens safety Bernard Pollard that resulted in a concussion.
For parts of the postgame access, a Patriots staffer stood next to Ridley’s locker and ensured that he wasn’t approached.
Ridley has rebounded, as evidenced by his Thursday appearance on ESPN’s “NFL Live” with Steve Levy. Ridley, an LSU alum, was taking in the Super Bowl scene and touched on how it was special for New Orleans to once again be hosting the game.
Ridley was also asked what he remembers about the hit from Pollard.
“Being completely honest, not much, man,” he said. “Running the football, unfortunately it’s what comes with the sport that we play. It’s a contact sport. He just came down and made a play, tried to make a physical tackle, and that’s what he did. Unfortunately it was me. You hate it any time to see a player go out like that, but it was me this time. All I can say is that I can bounce back and I live to see another day. And I’m thankful.”
Ridley was asked by Levy how he is doing after the hit.
“I play this game, I love the game that I play, man,” he answered. “People try to downplay it; it’s a contact sport. You can’t be scared playing the game. We all try to be as healthy as we can and try to stay away from injuring each other. At times, it’s going to happen. So all we do is pat each other on the back and keep moving, and I wish the best for the Ravens and also to Bernard Pollard, man.”