Courtesy Slam Sports:

Ricky Ray always gets up.

No matter who hits him. No matter how hard he gets hit. Now matter how often he gets hit. Ricky Ray always picks himself up off the field and gets back in the game.

“Takes a licking and keeps on ticking” has become a slogan attached to the Edmonton Eskimos quarterback, the old Timex commercials where it originated long forgotten.

Yesterday he took a lick. And the clock stopped on the team which finally looked like it might start clicking.

DONE FOR YEAR

Ricky Ray is almost certainly out for the season. And the Eskimos, you now have to believe, are going to miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1964 and 1965.

Throughout these past two seasons, several people around the league have speculated over beers how bad the long-time flagship franchise might have been if they didn’t have Ricky Ray.

Now we find out.

Other than missing one pre-season game when he suffered a sprained knee - the year after spending the entire season on the bench with the New York Jets - Ray has not only been the league’s best quarterback, he’s been the most durable. He’s never missed a regular-season game.

But last night, Ricky Ray didn’t get up.

Last night Toronto Argos rookie linebacker Willie Pile, nicknamed ‘Ill-Will’ and ‘Pile Driver’, a product of Virginia Tech, made a wreck out of Edmonton’s until-now indestructible quarterback.

A player with previous claims to fame including writing a book entitled The Winning Game Plan - an ABC Guide To Success and for his impression of Argos coach Pinball Clemons, made a name for himself on one play.

With 6:22 remaining to play in the second quarter, Pile had a free shot, a 10-yard clear runway to the backside of Ray.

Ill-Will arrived in ill humor and pounded the pivot to the turf with his patented Pile Driver.

Argos defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler said he wasn’t surprised Ray didn’t get up.

“No,” he said. “Not after that hit. That was a blindside, full hit by a load of a linebacker.”

Pile said he had no clue of Ray’s reputation as a doesn’t-get-injured quarterback.

“I had no idea. It’s my first year in the league. But I knew it was definitely a good shot.”

Clemons said he was not only surprised Ray didn’t get up, he was disappointed.

“It seemed to be real solid. He seemed to be driven into the ground. But I absolutely did think he’d get up. I was also hoping he’d come out for the second half. I wanted to win the ball game but not at that cost. He’s one of the four top players in the league and one of the classiest guys ever.”

Ray was taken directly to the dressing room. It was only a matter of minutes when it was announced in the press box that he’d separated his right, throwing arm, shoulder.

“I just dropped back and he came from behind,” said Ray. “I think it was the force of him landing on me. I didn’t feel anything pop out. I tried to get up but I knew it was something serious.”

Separated shoulders are usually four to six weeks. That means Ricky Ray is out for the season. Even if he gets back in four weeks, it’s highly unlikely the Eskimos will have anything to play for at that point.