Tee Higgins on Bengals Win Over Vikings
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00:00 Were you a box out guy or just a high punt and go get it guy?
00:02 >> I was both.
00:04 >> I mean, all that touchdown looked like it was a combination of both.
00:06 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, sometimes that's what you gotta do in order to get the ball,
00:10 especially when the DB got better leverage than you.
00:12 So I was able to get in position and make a play on the ball.
00:16 >> How did you have the practice in mind to wrap the ball around the pylon?
00:19 >> Yeah, I knew where I was in the field.
00:21 I knew it was throwing a little bit short.
00:22 We was practicing that play all week.
00:24 And he left it a little short.
00:26 I just had pressure, caught it and was able to make a play.
00:30 >> How are you that flexible?
00:31 Yoga, Pilates, what are you doing to get the ball across like that?
00:34 Cuz your body was one way.
00:36 >> Yeah, I'm gonna say a big shout out to Misty and Jim.
00:39 They're the ones that take care of my body, man.
00:42 Get stretched out here and there, so big shout out to them.
00:45 >> What was going through your mind throughout this game?
00:46 Obviously, it was almost a tail two hash for you and
00:48 you came alive in the fourth quarter and make a game changing play.
00:51 >> Yeah, definitely.
00:53 The very first play, obviously, I had to drop.
00:56 But Chase kept telling me, next play mentality.
00:59 And then right before half, I had the big catch.
01:01 But I mean, they said it wasn't a catch.
01:04 So obviously, as a receiver, you wanna make those plays,
01:07 especially in times like that.
01:10 Get points at the end of half.
01:11 Wasn't able to, but I was able to come back second half and bounce back, so.
01:14 >> You saw that ball over here, all the touchdown, what was kind of what?
01:17 What was your line?
01:20 >> Just make a play, honestly.
01:22 Especially when the team needed it most right there and
01:25 I was able to make a play right there.
01:27 >> You talked about the ball being controlled,
01:30 took to know where you were on the field and then the second.
01:33 >> Yeah, definitely.
01:34 I had to know where I was on the field and
01:37 then at the same time I was right there on the sideline.
01:40 So I had to stay in bounds and then I knew I caught it around the one.
01:44 So I just took a wild guess and just reached back and
01:47 I looked up at the ref and he had his horns up, it's a touchdown, so.
01:49 >> It had been since week two since you scored a touchdown.
01:52 Just how much did you personally want a big game like this?
01:56 >> My God, bro, that shit felt good.
01:57 It felt good to get back in that box, man.
02:00 It's been a long time since week two, like you said, but I was able to,
02:05 I'm glad I was able to get in there and help my team get this win.
02:07 >> The thing is, T, is look, this team always relies on you, but
02:10 when Joe's out, Jamar leaves the game,
02:13 did you feel like you had to hit a different level?
02:15 >> Yeah, receiver coach Troy came up to me and said, it's time to be the alpha.
02:19 And I was able to do that and come in and make those plays.
02:21 >> T, this season, I mean, you've been through a lot of adversity,
02:26 not getting the contract extension, start the season, then you're ribbed,
02:29 then you come back from that, and then your hamstring.
02:31 For you to make this kind of play in a season that's tested you,
02:35 I mean, a lot of your teammates have commended just how you've been able to stay
02:38 so strong throughout the season.
02:40 How nice is it to make that type of play knowing what you've been through this year?
02:45 >> All I can say about that is just, I never stopped putting in the work.
02:49 I'm always hard working, even when I was injured, I was on the trainer field and
02:54 just grinding, grinding, trying to get back to help my team get wins.
02:58 And I'm happy that I was able to do that tonight.
03:01 >> Jake, you brought Tyler from your vantage point, what did you see?
03:05 >> I'm not gonna lie, I thought he was throwing it to me.
03:08 So if you go back and look at that play, I stopped,
03:11 trying to go back to the ball, and then I looked, TB caught it.
03:14 And as he was catching it, as he caught it, it's like he's about to go out of bounds,
03:17 so I tried to, I grabbed him to keep him up, stay in bounds,
03:21 then he got a little bit more yards, so good play by TB and Jake.
03:24 >> What can you say about Jake that he's able to have the force on his hands after
03:27 maybe not finding his way in the first six games?
03:29 >> Says a lot, and he's playing like a true number one QB.
03:33 And that's all you can ask for, and a guy like him come in, especially when a guy
03:38 like Joe goes out, come in and just pick up where Joe left off.
03:42 I mean, it's a blessing, you know what I'm saying?
03:44 >> After the game, Justin.
03:46 >> One more time?
03:47 >> What did that play look like in practice, did y'all practice that play?
03:49 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, that play, the one I scored on, you're talking about?
03:53 Yeah, back of the end zone every time, but Jake had pressure, and
03:58 he had trust in me, gave me a ball, that was a trust throw, and
04:01 I was able to go out and make a play.
04:03 >> After the game, Jefferson said to you, you're crazy for that one,
04:06 the one that forced overtime.
04:07 Do you feel like you're on that level of NFL wide receiver?
04:12 >> Definitely, I'm not gonna ever downplay myself.
04:14 I definitely feel like I'm on that level.
04:15 Obviously, I had the injuries, and I had a few drops this season,
04:20 but those drops don't define me.
04:23 I still gotta come out, next play mentality, keep being me and
04:26 keep helping my team get Ws.
04:28 >> Was this big for you to keep being you?
04:31 Because I know you're mentally tough and all that, but it has been a tough year.
04:35 >> I'm not even gonna make that about me.
04:37 It was big for the team.
04:38 As long as we get a win, help get us to the playoffs.
04:43 So I mean, that's what I do it for, so.
04:46 >> What do you put in this catch,
04:47 maybe the top ones you've had in your career at that time?
04:50 >> I put it up there.
04:52 [LAUGH] I still think the Baltimore catch is still my number one catch, but
04:57 I put it up there for sure.
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