ESPN on-air personality Bart Scott appeared on “First Take” on Tuesday and came under fire for comments about the events that transpired on “Monday Night Football” between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.
During the first quarter of Monday night’s game, Bills defender Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle and was transported to a local hospital, with the game being postponed. The NFL announced the game won’t be resumed this week.
On the program, Scott attempted to position Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins’ actions as a ball-carrier as a football move the NFL wants to cut down on for the sake of player safety.
The description was inaccurate at best and earned widespread backlash, especially because the play was a routine-looking one with no major infractions. Here’s a look at Scott’s comments and the fallout.
The commentary
Bart Scott said that what Tee Higgins did was illegal and should've been penalize for lowering his helmet, blaming him for what happened.
Higgins actually hit him with the shoulder, it was a normal football play. ESPN themselves even clarified it during the show. pic.twitter.com/ruc8HmAEtj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 3, 2023
Reactions
Bart Scott is on ESPN actually blaming Tee Higgins for "lowering his helmet" into the player. Which did not happen.
Dude has a weird vendetta against the Bengals but this is taking it too far.
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) January 3, 2023
Can we cancel Bart Scott already? 🤬 We love and support you, Tee. You did NOTHING wrong. This was a tragic accident. It's nobody's fault.
— x-ᘺᕼᓍᗷᗩᘿNewYear🏈🧡 (@thewhobae) January 3, 2023
Bart Scott really blaming Tee Higgins for "lowering his head". Disgusting.
— The Kingdom (@MahomeSZN) January 3, 2023
As if the weight on Tee Higgins isn't heavy enough during this,Bart Scott then goes on national tv to create a false narrative that insinuates Tee could be of blame. Disgusting journalism. @espn this isn't the first time this guy has crossed the line,but you can make it his last.
— WDN Today (@WDNToday) January 3, 2023
We got such amazing statements from Ryan Clark, Scott Van Pelt, and the rest of the @espn crew last night. Then, they let Bart Scott be on TV this morning.
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) January 3, 2023
like wtf is Bart Scott even talking about Higgins helmet is literally off to the side pic.twitter.com/l0EHSBTKCN
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) January 3, 2023
Skip has determined his purpose as a degenerate and that’s what pays the bills. Everyone who tunes in knows it. Bart scott could’ve been so much more as a former player and the unique perspective he has and instead discredits himself continuously, which is way more disappointing.
— John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) January 3, 2023
did…Bart Scott even watch the play in question? Higgins hits Hamlin with his shoulder, not his helmet
this is just unnecessary and inflammatory for no reason https://t.co/BlVE9HANz4
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) January 3, 2023
Lots of awesome posts and responses from last night. Then total morons like Bart Scott blaming Tee Higgins. What an egregious thing to say from a former player https://t.co/ISUZK5M7a2
— Tony Niehaus (@BigT44DFS) January 3, 2023
My opinion is not often strong but I will say on the this; in consideration of last night’s tragedy, blaming Tee Higgins for what occurred is absolutely disgusting. Those who do such as Bart Scott sadly do not come as much surprise and are utterly disgusting. Revaluate yourself
— Jack 🙏🏻#PrayForHamlin🙏🏻 (@Cincinneumeyer) January 3, 2023
What is Bart Scott talking about? He is saying Tee lowered his head into Hamlin…I watched the replay other than what they showed on the broadcast, but I don’t recall seeing a leading with the helmet move from Tee.
— Brian (@bArtbow) January 3, 2023
bart scott walking into espn tomorrow
— 🎄AtlanticArctic🎄 (@AtlanticArctic) January 3, 2023
I’m sure Tee Higgins already feels awful- Bart Scott probably made him feel worse.
This was a freak accident, can’t place the blame on anyone @BartScott57.
pic.twitter.com/L1I2PILg6L— Michael Balko (@MichaelBalkoJr) January 3, 2023
Bart Scott is problematic with is takes at times. That was a routine hit https://t.co/pyJtwjzgr1
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) January 3, 2023
Bad take by Bart Scott. Tee Higgins hit Damar Hamlin with his shoulder. This was an unfortunate incident and blaming Higgins is not the right way to go about it…pic.twitter.com/E0uxFLvHsR
— PROPBetz (@JustPropBetz) January 3, 2023
Bart Scott was one of my favorite players on those 09-10 Jets teams but he’s a BOZO for what he said about Tee Higgins this morning. Totally uncalled for.
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) January 3, 2023
Bart Scott… c’mon man BE BETTER https://t.co/hwwJhkxv5U
— Air Raid | Buffalo (@TheBillsGuys) January 3, 2023
I'm not even going to watch the Bart Scott clip but what is any receiver supposed to do? Just stop running and present their chest for a direct hit from a defender? What are we even talking about?
— Colonel Sandanista • WHO DEY • 🙏 for #3 (@CSandanista) January 3, 2023
A) Higgins didn't lower his helmet
B) Even if he had, it happens in every game. Doesn't make it a dirty play.
C) To even call out Higgins after the guy already feels terrible is disgraceful https://t.co/MfzNg8QIVM— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) January 3, 2023
I feel you young legend! On every level! Like bro, it’s not about this guy and his hot takes right now! It’s about our brotherhood putting our arms around each other and pulling closer together for our brothers! Not that BS!
— Andrew Whitworth (@AndrewWhitworth) January 4, 2023
Get out of here with that mess Bart Scott. Every offensive player braces or tried to deliver force when about to get tackled. What do you experiment to do just give up on the play. What a cowardly thing to say and incredibly tasteless timing. https://t.co/oGqZh5SubB
— Shayne Graham (@Shaynegraham17) January 3, 2023
Nothing gets me more hot than people who played the game getting on TV and saying dumb stuff like this and trying to make somebody a villain. It’s not Tee fault pray for Damar and his family and shut up https://t.co/NAjFTlDf9p
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) January 3, 2023
