Ric Flair Rushed to Hospital After Falling Outside Restaurant in Florida

Ric Flair was taken to the hospital after he fell outside a restaurant in Florida on Friday … hours after telling fans he couldn’t fly due to a blood clot.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Ric was hanging at Wagamama in Tampa this morning when he got up from the bar, leaving his phone and drink behind and walking across the street.

While outside, our sources say Ric suddenly fell and injured his face. A photo TMZ has obtained shows emergency medical personnel gathered around Ric.

We’re told Ric cut his head and eye open during the fall … and his eye was bleeding extensively. He may also have a concussion.

He was ultimately loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital.

The timing of Ric’s fall is interesting … because he released a statement a few hours ago saying he couldn’t make it to a fan convention in Seattle because doctors told him not to fly with a blood clot.