Toronto Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray had to be carted off the field in Saturday's home opener against the Calgary Stampeders.
Ray suffered an apparent neck injury with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter of the contest after being sacked by Calgary's Ja’Gared Davis and then colliding with Cordarro Law. He remained on the field for 16 minutes while being attended to by medical staff and was later taken to Toronto Western Hospital.
Scary scene here as Ricky Ray is down after an awkward tackle.
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 24, 2018
The stretcher is on the field. He will be coming out of this game.
Ricky Ray has not gotten up after this hit. They're bringing out the cart for him now. pic.twitter.com/Rb6vQ1v3uI
— Jefferson Steelflex (@PJG116) June 24, 2018
Ricky Ray UPDATE: #Argos medical staff brought Ricky Ray to BMO Field loading dock awaiting transportation. Medical staff continuously communicating with Ray and evaluating his extremities. Ray moving his arms and legs. Ambulance has not arrived yet. #CFL
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 24, 2018
RICKY RAY UPDATE: Toronto paramedics have now arrived at BMO Field. Ricky Ray will now be transported to Toronto Western. Again, initial assessment is a neck injury. And, again “purely precautionary,” is what #Argos are saying #CFL @cfl
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 24, 2018
RICKY RAY UPDATE: While Ray was awaiting the ambulance, he was being assessed continuously; #Argos medical staff did a thorough job attending to him, communicating with him and evaluating him. #CFL @cfl
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 24, 2018
Argonauts head coach Marc Trestman told reporters after the game that he was "optimistic" about Ray's condition based on early reports from medical staff. Ray has feeling in all of his extremities and did not suffer a concussion, the team announced on Sunday.
"Ray is resting comfortably and remains in the hospital for further evaluation," the team said in a statement. "Ray did undergo concussion protocol testing and reported no current symptoms."
“I’m encouraged by the initial reports… I’m encouraged by what the doctors had to say… I’m going to be optimistic at this time.” - Marc Trestmam pic.twitter.com/DrZxt8eQB0
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 24, 2018
Toronto trailed 34-1 at the time of Ray's injury. Calgary won the game, a rematch of last year's Grey Cup, 41-7.