CINCINNATI — The prayers between Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Tee Higgins and Damar Hamlin’s household are going each methods.
In his first feedback since Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and collapsed, Higgins stated Thursday that Hamlin’s mom, Nina, has been in contact and supplied prayers in help within the aftermath of his collision with Hamlin throughout Cincinnati’s sport in opposition to the Buffalo Bills on Monday evening.
“It was simply telling me she’s considering of me, praying for me and issues like that, telling me he is OK, all the nice, constructive stuff,” stated Higgins, who added that understanding Hamlin is enhancing is making him really feel good inside.
Higgins, who went to Clemson, performed in opposition to the Payments security in school whereas Hamlin attended Pitt. The 2 additionally frolicked collectively at Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd‘s annual soccer camp within the Pittsburgh space, the place Boyd and Hamlin are from.
Higgins recounted the ultimate play of Monday’s sport, which was finally postponed. Initially, Higgins stated he thought that Hamlin had flopped after he tackled Higgins following a 13-yard completion. When he appeared once more, he understood the severity of the scenario.
“I simply turned my head to attempt to not give it some thought as a result of I do know it was one thing loopy and one thing tragic,” Higgins stated. “It was laborious.”
Cincinnati’s gamers acquired updates about Hamlin’s situation earlier than physicians on the College of Cincinnati Medical Heart held a information convention to offer updates on his situation. Hamlin is awake and responsive and capable of talk with writing, in keeping with officers.
When Higgins acquired information about Hamlin’s situation within the morning, Higgins referred to as it a “large aid off his chest” as he and the Bengals put together for his or her Week 18 contest in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
Boyd stated he knew that Higgins felt dangerous in regards to the scenario as a result of he was concerned within the remaining play earlier than Hamlin was pushed off the sphere in an ambulance. Boyd stated he continually checked in together with his fellow Bengals receiver due to how Higgins felt after the sport and stated those that have been important of Higgins’ position within the scenario have been disrespectful.
“Tee’s a human being, too,” Boyd stated. “It might’ve flipped. It might’ve been Tee. It is soccer, on the finish of the day.”
Payments quarterback Josh Allen, who together with head coach Sean McDermott addressed reporters on Thursday for the primary time because the terrifying scene unfolded, stayed seated after the information convention and stated he wished to precise help for Higgins.
“I do wish to say yet one more factor: I have not reached out to Tee. I hope that he obtained some aid at this time. I noticed some stuff on Twitter. And folks shouldn’t be attacking him in anyway,” Allen stated. “And I am glad that Damar’s household got here out and stated that. And hopefully he discovered some aid at this time. As a result of that is a soccer play. And I hope that he would not maintain that upon himself as a result of there’s nothing else that he might have accomplished in that scenario.”
Boyd, Higgins and the remainder of the Bengals held their first full apply since Monday’s shortened sport. When apply ended on Thursday afternoon, the group had but to obtain phrase on whether or not the Payments sport might be continued.
However the strategy of preparing for an opponent was a welcome feeling for a lot of inside Cincinnati’s locker room, together with Higgins. He was amongst these taking part in on one in all two desk tennis surfaces within the locker room whereas music performed over the audio system, indicators that the Bengals have been making an attempt to function as regular as doable.
Higgins stated he stays targeted on preparations for Sunday’s showdown in opposition to the Ravens because the Bengals look to place themselves for his or her upcoming postseason run. Higgins stated that he has not thought of skipping the sport.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.