Bengals' Tee Higgins Visits with Bills' Damar Hamlin Family, 'Feels Whole Again'
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins spoke publicly for the first time since Monday night, when he became an unintentional footnote in one of the scariest incidents in professional sports history.
During first quarter action of the Bengals' highly-anticipated showdown with the Buffalo Bills, Higgins hauled in what appeared to be a routine 13-yard reception that continued Cincinnati's second drive of the night. He was brought down by Hamlin, who collapsed to the ground after initially getting up from the play. Administered CPR by the Bills' medical staff and first responders, Hamlin was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he has made "remarkable improvement."
The conversation around Hamlin's situation has indirectly involved Higgins. ESPN's Bart Scott, for example, oddly claimed that Higgins lowered his head before Hamlin tackled him, hinting at a role in the incident that soon followed.
Many - including Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons - have come to Higgins' defense and the receiver has shared peaceful words with Hamlin's family.
"Obviously it’s been hard, just because, you know, I had something to do with the play (and) whatnot,” Higgins said, per Mitch Stacy of the Associated Press. "But everyone has been making me feel whole again. I talked to his mom and everything is OK, he’s doing good, so I’m in a good place right now.”
Higgins recounted his shock upon seeing Hamlin fall to the ground on Monday, admitting that he originally thought the defender was trying to draw a post-play penalty. Once it became clear that Hamlin was in serious danger, Higgins was glad that the game was eventually suspended (a suspension that appears more permanent with each passing day), saying he "wasn’t in a good place to play the rest."
With good news slowly starting to trickle out of Hamlin's situation ... able to communicate via pen and paper, he reportedly asked about the game's result upon regaining consciousness ... Higgins, like the rest of the football world, is pleased to see that the thoughts and prayers of he and his fellow players are being answered as the road to recovery continues.
"It feels good just knowing that he’s OK, he’s doing better ... it makes me feel better inside," Higgins said. "It’s hard to forget about, but at the end of the day, we are professional football players. We do have a job to do, and you just have to shift your focus and focus on the (Baltimore) Ravens.”
Cincinnati (11-4) faces the Ravens as the race for the AFC's top playoff seed and the bye that comes with it continues. The Bills (12-3) are likewise lingering contenders for the spot currently held by the Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) and the former can remain in contention if they top the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
It should go without saying, of course, that healing, safety, and mental health for all those involved in Monday's situation remain the top priority for all parties. Bills quarterback Josh Allen made that clear when he spoke on Thursday, absolving Higgins of any blame and hoping his opponent found peace through his conversations with Hamlin's family.
"People should not be attacking Tee Higgins whatsoever," Allen said. "Hopefully, he found some relief today. I hope he doesn't hold that upon himself."
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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