Tyler Higbee is one of the longest-tenured players on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster, which has made him a leader in the locker room throughout the last several years. He’s beloved by his teammates, which is what made his return to the field so special on Sunday afternoon.
Sean McVay has praised Higbee’s resilience and dedication throughout the lengthy 11-month rehab process, but for him to score a touchdown in his first game since January, that’s incredible.
After diving into the end zone, Higbee was mobbed by the rest of the team in the end zone. And the celebrating didn’t stop once he got to the sideline, either. Dozens of players and coaches were doing his “big rig” celebration, showing love to the veteran tight end in an awesome moment.
Higbee was so excited that he says he nearly passed out.
“It’s hard to describe,” Higbee said. “I almost passed out just from being so hyped. The love from everybody, coming off the field and everybody on the sidelines hitting the ‘Big Rig’ and it was just very cool.”
He made sure to mention the love he got from his teammates and the entire organization throughout the rehab process as he worked his way back from shoulder and knee surgeries in the offseason.
“It was very humbling, the love and support I got from these guys and the team and the staff and just everybody. It was special. Just very humbling,” he added.
It wasn’t an easy path to the end zone, both literally and figuratively. Higbee had to leap across the goal line on his touchdown, feeling like Michael Jordan stretching his arm in “Space Jam” against the Monstars.
“I didn’t know I was going to have to jump,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of guys at the pylon lowering my shoulder trying to get in there. Just saw a little opening and figured I’d take it. In the air, didn’t reach the ball but felt a little bit like the ‘Space Jam’ Michael Jordan with his arm. And it’s just, got to get in.”
Higbee is going to remain a key part of the offense the rest of the way, which is big for the Rams. They’ve gotten very little out of the tight end position when it comes to catching passes, so Higbee can provide a boost.
In only one game, he has as many touchdowns as all of the Rams’ other tight ends combined. It’s a bonus that Los Angeles has him back at all this season and it’s fitting that he scored in his first game of the year.
