When Tee Higgins lines up on Sundays, he doesn’t just carry his team’s hopes, he carries his mother’s survival, his father’s absence, and a childhood most people wouldn't survive. His is a story of heartbreak, bullets, addiction, redemption and triumph.
Let’s rewind the clock to 2005. Tee was just six years old when his life was nearly shattered forever.
His mom was shot in the head in 2005 and somehow lived to see him shine
Camilla "Lady" Stewart, Tee’s mother, was in a dark place. She’d battled crack addiction for 16 years, and one day, her then-boyfriend shot her in the head. The bullet fractured the right side of her skull. It was bad enough that surgeons had to install a metal plate and 160 screws just to save her life.
The image of that day stuck with Tee forever. His sister told him, “Momma got shot,” and he vividly remembers the helicopters and flashing lights. But this wasn’t the end of Lady Stewart’s story, it was the turning point.
In 2007, two years after surviving the shooting, Lady was arrested for violating probation. That might’ve been the final straw but it became her moment of clarity. She committed to rehab, got clean, and has been sober ever since.
That’s over 17 years of sobriety. Now? She’s not only proud, healthy, and thriving she’s also the biggest fan of her NFL star son.
Tee has never forgotten that journey. “Everything I do is for her,” he once said. “She made it out. I had no excuse not to.”
His father was mostly in jail and died just as they started reconnecting
Tee didn’t grow up with his dad. Eric Higgins spent most of Tee’s childhood behind bars. It wasn’t until early 2022, right before the Bengals went to the Super Bowl, that they began to reconnect. For Tee, it felt like a fresh start.
But life didn’t wait. Eric passed away later that year, a loss Tee called “one of the lowest points of my life.” He didn’t talk much about it. Instead, he did what he always does: suited up, kept grinding, and played through the pain.
From Tennessee to Clemson to NFL greatness, Tee didn’t just survive, he soared
Tee could’ve easily become another statistic. Instead, he became a five-star recruit, a national champion at Clemson, and a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2020. Today, he’s one of the most reliable and explosive receivers in the league.
And behind the scenes? His mom is always there, the same woman who was once fighting addiction and bullets, now cheering in orange and black with tears in her eyes. Their story isn’t just inspiring, it’s astonishing. And it reminds us: greatness doesn’t always come from perfect conditions. Sometimes, it comes from the storm.
Tee Higgins and Lady Stewart are more than mother and son. They’re survivors. They’re proof that cycles can be broken, odds can be beaten, and pain can be transformed into purpose.
She fought for her life. He fought for a future. And now, together, they’re rewriting what victory looks like.
Also read - “World sucks”: Teddy Bridgewater suspended for helping his players and fans are furious
Let’s rewind the clock to 2005. Tee was just six years old when his life was nearly shattered forever.
His mom was shot in the head in 2005 and somehow lived to see him shine
Camilla "Lady" Stewart, Tee’s mother, was in a dark place. She’d battled crack addiction for 16 years, and one day, her then-boyfriend shot her in the head. The bullet fractured the right side of her skull. It was bad enough that surgeons had to install a metal plate and 160 screws just to save her life.
POWERFUL STORY: #Bengals Tee Higgins mom was shot in the head in 2005, needing 160 skull screws.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 15, 2025
She overcame 16 years of crack addiction, sober since 2007.
His dad was jailed most his life & died in 2022.
Despite this, Tee persevered to become one of the NFLs best receivers. pic.twitter.com/yppI9YJhq7
The image of that day stuck with Tee forever. His sister told him, “Momma got shot,” and he vividly remembers the helicopters and flashing lights. But this wasn’t the end of Lady Stewart’s story, it was the turning point.
In 2007, two years after surviving the shooting, Lady was arrested for violating probation. That might’ve been the final straw but it became her moment of clarity. She committed to rehab, got clean, and has been sober ever since.
When Tee Higgins’ mom left him a special message before the Super Bowl 🥹 pic.twitter.com/AmeNUm2Bo4
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) July 10, 2025
That’s over 17 years of sobriety. Now? She’s not only proud, healthy, and thriving she’s also the biggest fan of her NFL star son.
Tee has never forgotten that journey. “Everything I do is for her,” he once said. “She made it out. I had no excuse not to.”
His father was mostly in jail and died just as they started reconnecting
Tee didn’t grow up with his dad. Eric Higgins spent most of Tee’s childhood behind bars. It wasn’t until early 2022, right before the Bengals went to the Super Bowl, that they began to reconnect. For Tee, it felt like a fresh start.
But life didn’t wait. Eric passed away later that year, a loss Tee called “one of the lowest points of my life.” He didn’t talk much about it. Instead, he did what he always does: suited up, kept grinding, and played through the pain.
From Tennessee to Clemson to NFL greatness, Tee didn’t just survive, he soared
Tee could’ve easily become another statistic. Instead, he became a five-star recruit, a national champion at Clemson, and a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2020. Today, he’s one of the most reliable and explosive receivers in the league.
And behind the scenes? His mom is always there, the same woman who was once fighting addiction and bullets, now cheering in orange and black with tears in her eyes. Their story isn’t just inspiring, it’s astonishing. And it reminds us: greatness doesn’t always come from perfect conditions. Sometimes, it comes from the storm.
Tee Higgins gave his TD ball to his mom 🧡 @teehiggins5
— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2023
(via @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/EuUf4yqf7t
Tee Higgins and Lady Stewart are more than mother and son. They’re survivors. They’re proof that cycles can be broken, odds can be beaten, and pain can be transformed into purpose.
Tee Higgins mom is my hero lmaoooo pic.twitter.com/AczZSBjcKh
— IcyVert (@IcyVert) December 16, 2023
She fought for her life. He fought for a future. And now, together, they’re rewriting what victory looks like.
Also read - “World sucks”: Teddy Bridgewater suspended for helping his players and fans are furious
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