I'm like schoolboard in wondering if he was using his helmet and neck to go after his groin? You can see that his head is between the "lifting" player's legs.
Regardless, it was a reaction that was stupid. But, I would be willing to bet it was just that, a reaction, and not a planned attempt to try to paralyze the player. None-the-less, it has to be punished for what it was. An uncontrolled reaction with the potential to critically hurt another player.
If a game film or a better clip surfaces, someone please post us a link.