It was just a freak accident.
Anyone who has watched football knows the play where Hamlin almost lost his life happens numerous times during a game. It was irresponsible for people like ESPN’s Bart Scott to put any blame on Higgins, who already felt terrible about what happened.
Thankfully, Hamlin is getting better, and Higgins is, too, thanks to Hamlin’s mother.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins said he’s “in a good place right now” after hearing from Damar Hamlin’s mother about his improvement on Thursday.
Higgins was involved in the hit that came right before the Buffalo Bills safety went into cardiac arrest on the field during the game Monday night. Doctors say Hamlin has made “remarkable improvement” in the last 24 hours.
“Obviously it’s been hard, just because you know I had something to do with the play (and) whatnot,” Higgins said in his first public comments since Hamlin collapsed and the game was suspended. 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 said Hamlin’s mother told him “she’s thinking of me and praying for me and things like that.
“And suddenly she’s telling me that he’s OK. And just all the positive stuff,” the third-year wideout said. “I mean it feels good just knowing that he’s OK, he’s doing better, and it makes me feel better inside.”
“You know, it was hard (to see),” Higgins said. “Obviously, (I) wasn’t in a good place to play the rest of that game, so I’m kind of glad that we chose not to play.”
Hopefully, Hamlin will make a full recovery.
The most important thing isn’t football. It is that he has a productive life in the future, and hopefully, the NFL will do the right thing by ensuring all his medical and financial needs are taken care of.
Flip the page for more of Tee Higgins’ interview.