Tee Higgins Did His Best To Support Damar Hamlin’s Folks & Is Yet Receiving Criticism, The Family Wants It To Stop
Following their son’s medical issue on Monday night at Paycor Stadium, the family of Buffalo Bills defender Damar Hamlin is “frustrated” and “angry” with certain users’ accusatory comments made about Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins on social media. Jordon Rooney, Hamlin’s marketing representative and close friend expressed similar feelings to the family in remarks to Spectrum News 1 BUF.
Tee Higgins Did His Best To Support Damar Hamlin’s Folks & Is Yet Receiving Criticism, The Family Wants It To Stop
In the first quarter of the Bills-Bengals game on Monday, Hamlin lost consciousness after standing up after a simple, clean tackle on Higgins. Medical staff performed CPR on the 24-year-old Hamlin, who was then taken off the field and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, according to the Buffalo Bills.
There is one young man that I think a lot of us are forgetting to lift up in prayer in the past 72 hours, and that is Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. Higgins is beside himself with guilt, and has not left the hospital since Damar Hamlin arrived Monday night. pic.twitter.com/0ahE3ree6Y
— Brooke Good (@BrookeG02024834) January 4, 2023
Higgins collided with Hamlin while attempting to get further yards after making a reception that went for 13 yards on the play that ended the Bills and Bengals game on Monday night. After the play, Hamlin experienced a cardiac attack and lost consciousness. The game was not continued while on-site medical personnel sought to reestablish Hamlin’s heartbeat before transferring him to the nearby University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Dear Tee Higgins,
You are loved. You are so loved. You are important. You are not to blame. You are so much more than a game, you are a human being. You are a son and you are a beloved family member of Who Dey Nation. Please stay strong. 🙏
— Jacob Matthew (@JakeMatthewList) January 3, 2023
Unfortunately, Higgins was not exempt from criticism for his role in the play, which varied from harsh online comments to being directly blamed for the scenario by retired NFL linebacker Bart Scott. Higgins was reported to be clearly upset in the wake of Monday night’s events.
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has been a pillar of strength for Hamlin’s family.
On ESPN, Bart Scott blamed #Bengals WR Tee Higgins for the incident with Damar Hamlin.
That is totally ridiculous, what happened was a freak accident.pic.twitter.com/5Sbh3GxslC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 3, 2023
“Tee Higgins has reached out multiple times,” Jordan Rooney — a friend and marketing representative for Hamlin who’s been speaking on behalf of the family — told WLWT’s, Meredith Stutz. “He has gone above and beyond to express his support. He has demonstrated his excellence as a human being.
Damar Hamlin's father is asking for criticism of Tee Higgins to stop, per @ColeyHarvey
Higgins collided with Hamlin before he collapsed during Monday's game pic.twitter.com/GFhcoDLDMb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 4, 2023
Following Coley Harvey of ESPN’s request for any criticism of Higgins for his part in the play to stop, Rooney made his remarks to the media. Higgins has not made any public statements since the tragedy, however, on Monday night he posted on Twitter to express his condolences and thoughts.
I know all us football fans are praying for Damar Hamlin, and let’s all please pray for Tee Higgins as well. He is hurting especially along with all the players who were on the field, God bless you ALL🙏🏼
— Clay Walker (@ClayWalker) January 3, 2023
Despite “signs of progress” from the previous day and the previous night, Damar Hamlin was still in serious condition at the UC Medical Center’s ICU as of Wednesday.
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