From Knoxville to Madrid: Tee Higgins describes ‘surreal’ trip overseas

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins made history by crossing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in his life. Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Higgins is now a prominent figure in the NFL. He is accustomed to traveling within the United States, particularly to Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, for training and practice.

Higgins, 27, is currently in his seventh NFL season and has already set foot in most stadiums. However, playing an international game in Madrid, Spain, was a new experience for him. He brought his family along for the trip, as it was their first time visiting Europe. On November 5, after practice at the Real Federación Española de Fútbol facility, Higgins expressed his amazement at being able to cross the Atlantic, stating that it was surreal.

Higgins has been having an outstanding season, being named AFC Offensive Player of the Week by the NFL after catching 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns in a recent game. The Bengals are currently 5-2 and poised for a successful postseason run, and Higgins is a key reason behind their strong performance. In seven games, he has caught 43 passes, leading the AFC with 726 yards and four touchdowns.

When the Bengals face the Falcons at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on November 8, fans will be wearing black, orange, and white No. 5 jerseys representing Higgins. Despite his constant attention, Higgins is humbled by the opportunity to see fans from around the world wearing his jersey at such a renowned sporting venue. He expressed his gratitude for the experience, emphasizing that it was truly surreal, especially knowing where he came from and being able to share it with his family for the first time.