Former Bengal says players will, ‘lean more on themselves,’ after Damar Hamlin collapse

CINCINNATI — “Everything is okay, he’s doing good,” said Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. “So, I’m in a good place right now.” He is the player who collided with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin just before he collapsed in Monday night’s game with the Bengals at Paycor Stadium.

Higgins and the rest of the Bengals are looking ahead to Sunday’s game against their AFC North Division rivals the Baltimore Ravens.

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After dealing with a traumatic week surrounding Hamlin, the Bengals say they will be ready Sunday.

News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott spoke with a former Bengals player Friday who shared how athletes get themselves in the right state of mind to play after such an unprecedented event like last week.

The Bengals will play this Sunday for the first time at Paycor Stadium since what happened to Hamlin on Monday night and they are going to be relying on one another more so than usual throughout the game.

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There was devastation on the faces of every single player on the field Monday night. Now they have to put what happened aside and focus on beating the Ravens Sunday.

No one knows more about how do that than former Bengals player Tim McGee.

“We are accustomed to blocking things out and kind of putting them putting them in context,” he told McDermott.

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McGee played 10 seasons for the Bengals and knows how dangerous the sport can be.

“As players, that the only time you’re going to feel normal and healthy is the first day the first minute of the first practice of training camp,” he said.

His own career came to an end when he got hurt.

“I was taken out on a stretcher in an ambulance and I spent three days in the hospital one day in intensive care,” said McGee.”

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McDermott said when he woke up and saw his family, he wanted his second family; his teammates.

“That what they become,” McGee told her. “My brothers.”

As the Bengals are practicing, they will have support.

“They have these protocols in place, including therapy for when traumatic situations like this happened,” he said.

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McGee told McDermott from his experience, they players will be there for each other.

“I can almost guarantee you, they’re gonna lean more on themselves,” he said. “That’s where they’re going to find their solace.”

The football field is going to be there therapy, according to McGee.

“When you’re on that football field, you are in your comfort zone,” he told McDermott. “It’s your pillow.”

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McGee said he knows the Bengals will zero in on winning Sunday against the Ravens and expects it to be a good game.

“You get the sweat going, you get hit again,” he explained. “Tee Higgins catches his first pass. Joe Burrow throws his first pass. There’s a tackle made. I think that’s going to be wonderful.”

This game is also very important for the Bengals heading into the playoffs.

The Bengals and Ravens will be televised on Channel 7.

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Photos: ‘We’re just praying for him to walk out;’ Fans share elation for Damar Hamlin’s progress Photos from: Adam Barron

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapses, receives CPR on field CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 02: Tre'Davious White #27 and Mitch Morse #60 of the Buffalo Bills react to teammate Damar Hamlin #3 collapsing after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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