Cincinnati witnessed an emotional outburst from Tee Higgins as he scored the winning 3-yard touchdown in overtime as the Bengals trumped the Broncos 30-24 at Paycor Stadium. Higgins had spent the past year working tirelessly to prove his worth, after being tagged as a franchise player by the Bengals. He was also locked in contract negotiations which were perceived as a devaluation of his skillset, and he had battled through injury while continuing to play.
Higgins’ game winning catch followed a conscious position taken by him to avoid media attention and controversy. Amidst the celebration, he couldn’t shake the notion that it may be his last game in his beloved Cincinnati. Throughout the season Higgins felt accusations of being “injury prone” but proved his resilience by managing knee and ankle injuries and giving stellar performances on field. The pandemonium seemed surreal to him, and he left an indelible mark on fans with three touchdowns, four third-down catches, and an 11-reception, 131-yard performance that night.
Amidst an uncertain future, a text message sent by Higgins to the head coach Zac Taylor indicated his commitment to play for the Bengals. Taylor, taken aback but appreciative of Higgins’ determination to win, allowed him the space to recover and perform. True to his word, Higgins left nothing on the field and was instrumental in securing a win against the Broncos.
Much of the game pivoted around the young player’s performance. Higgins was instrumental in making crucial plays, whether it was outmatching Ja’Quan McMillian in the red zone or as a third-down target catching all the passes, or his extremely skilful high-point catch and toe-drag that had everyone in awe. However, Higgins wasn’t without fault as he fumbled once in Denver’s territory, but bounced back swiftly offering the best plays of the night.
In the light of Higgins’ spectacular performance, Ja’Marr Chase, stood by, quipped to pay the amazing player his due. Whether Higgins is retained or let go is still a matter of discussion inside Bengals management. However, he recognizes the reality of the business and is ready to move on if required, underlining his belief that if life took him elsewhere, he’d follow.
Higgins admitted that the uncertainty over his future with the Cincinnati Bengals became palpable as the post-game celebrations went on. Reflection is rare amidst the hustle of the season but unavoidable for Higgins on this emotional night. If this were indeed his last game in the Bengals’ stripes, he wanted to ensure he’d be remembered. Considering his night, he definitely would be. With a leap and a flip, he let the people of Cincinnati know that he felt their love, he was grateful for it and he would fight to the end if he had to leave. As he stood amidst the flashing lights and the roaring crowd, these moments meant more to him than just a victory against Broncos. It marked the culmination of his journey with Cincinnati, a journey he hoped was far from over.
