ESPN analyst Bart Scott branded “despicable” for claiming Tee Higgins was at fault for lowering his helmet on Damar Hamlin’s hit just before the Bills player went into cardiac arrest on the field … but others say he did “explained, not accused”. ‘
ESPN’s NFL analyst Bart Scott has been branded “despicable” for claiming Tee Higgins was at fault for lowering his helmet in the collision with Damar Hamlin just before the Bills player collapsed from cardiac arrest .
Hamlin, 24, is in critical condition after being revived on the field after colliding with the Cincinnati Bengals’ Higgins in the first quarter of Monday’s game. Hamlin got up off the ground, seemingly trying to adjust his helmet, before falling back and lying motionless on the ground.
Hamlin’s uncle told CNN late Tuesday night that Hamlin was “trending positively up” but had to be resuscitated twice, once on the field, after his collapse.
Discussing the incident on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A Smith, Scott said he felt Higgins bow his head before Hamlin’s tackle, resulting in the Bills player being hit in the chest.
Here’s the clip for anyone wondering: Bart Scott squarely accuses Tee Higgins of lowering his helmet into Damar Hamlin’s chest. It was nowhere near a dirty game. Crazy Accident. pic.twitter.com/uyDwwOEgpi
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) January 3, 2023
Bart Scott controversially suggested that Tee Higgins (second left) lowered his helmet before the tackle with Damar Hamlin just before he went into cardiac arrest
Hamlin’s uncle said Tuesday night that Hamlin was “positively trending up.”
First, Scott said, “The NFL has been trying to take its head out of the game. We almost don’t think about the heavy hits – we always associate that with the defensive players aiming and lowering their heads.
“But they introduced a rule maybe five years ago that offensive players can’t use the crown of their head, the helmet, as a weapon, which Tee Higgins did sort of like, and I’m not trying to blame it on Tee Higgins, but that’s something they’ve been trying to turn off.
Smith interjected, saying: “But explain that to the viewers. Tell us what happened, what you’re talking about. What exactly did Tee – unintentionally of course – do what exactly did Tee Higgins do?’
Scott replied, “Just before the duel, he lowers his helmet and sort of throws his body into his chest.
“He gets up because he thinks he’d have to chase Tee Higgins at an angle to make a tackle, so he didn’t expect Tee Higgins to hurl his body at him again.
Hamlin (No. 3) got up briefly after tackling Higgins before falling back in shocking scenes as the Buffalo Bills played Cincinnati Bengals
Hamlin collapsed moments later, falling backwards and lying motionless on the floor
Higgins tweeted Monday night that he’s praying Hamlin pulls through
“It’s one of those things, a lot you see as a linebacker — a running back comes through the hole and he knows the contact is coming, so he lowers his helmet and you can’t get under him so he can come in you and.” your chest is exposed.
“They’ve taken that out of the game, but they’re not regulating it as much as possible. I expect the league will be much more vigilant when it comes to taking advantage of that penalty.
One fan captured the footage and retweeted it, saying: “The fact that nobody here immediately blew up Bart Scott disgusts me.
“The suggestion that Tee Higgins is responsible for Damar Hamlin’s current hospitalization, all due to a freak accident, is despicable and totally unacceptable. They played football, no one had bad intentions.’
Another said: “Bart has come a long way from his comments; Both made football moves to either gain extra yards or make tackles. NO INTENT to hurt here.’
A number of fans were unfazed by Scott’s take on the Hamlin incident
But other viewers felt that Scott was trying to explain what happened rather than blaming anyone
Another, but much more scathing view was, “Bart Scott is an idiot. It’s absolutely insane how some of these guys have jobs on TV.
But some viewers didn’t think Bart deserved criticism, saying: “Is he really blaming him or is he just explaining what happened physically?”
Another wrote: “There’s a big difference between blaming and explaining. That doesn’t blame Higgins at all.”
Higgins himself took to Twitter Monday night after the incident and wrote: “My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland the Hamlin family. I pray you make it through, brother. Love.’