Despite Concussion Concerns, Tee Higgins Returns to the Field
Two weeks ago, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins suffered a concussion after his helmet struck the artificial turf in a game. Yet, on Sunday, Higgins' helmet hit the turf multiple times during a game in Buffalo. Higgins' response to the situation? He's a soldier, he told reporters, and soldiers take hits. It's football, he said, and that's the name of the game.
Higgins confirmed that he was checked multiple times for another concussion and passed all tests. When asked if he considered pulling himself from the game, Higgins replied, 'I didn’t think about that at all. I’m a team-first guy. My team needed me, so I went out there and played.'
Higgins' attitude towards the multiple helmet-turf impacts was matter-of-fact: 'It’s ball, man. It’s ball.' However, Higgins' ability to continue playing was contingent on passing concussion evaluations, which he had already cleared. The decision to stay in the game ultimately rests with the player, and Higgins' determination to play for his team is a testament to his commitment and the team-first mentality that he embodies.
