Karras said he had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on his teammate, and added that it was the third time in Gesicki's life that he required it.
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"Mike gets his steak well done, so there's a lesson in that," Karras said. "And all of a sudden, Mike Gesicki looks at me, fear and tears in his eyes, and I immediately recognize it as choking. I kind of went into action. I've never had a harrowing moment like that in my life. Bent him over the sink and performed the Heimlich."
Cincinnati Bengals safety Bryan Cook celebrates with teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Sam Greene)
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Sam Greene)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hands the ball off to running back Chase Brown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
The Cincinnati Bengals huddle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals' opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals' opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
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Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals safety Bryan Cook celebrates with teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Sam Greene)
1/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals safety Bryan Cook celebrates with teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Sam Greene)
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Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Sam Greene)
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Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hands the ball off to running back Chase Brown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
4/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
The Cincinnati Bengals huddle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
5/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
6/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
7/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. recovers a fumble and scores against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
8/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals' opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
9/9
Bengals kick off season at home against Buccaneers, see photos
Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals' opener vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Sept. 13.
(The Enquirer/Cara Owsley)
"We were about 30 seconds away from an actual, like, this is gonna be a serious thing here," Karras continued. "But then it comes out later in the night. That's the third time he's been 'Heimlich'd.' He's a three-time Heimlich (recipient)! You're getting medium rare if you're eating steak around me from now on."
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates a touchdown reception in the first quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.
Gesicki had a big game in the Bengals'Week 1 win against Tampa Bay, leading the team with 78 receiving yards and catching Joe Burrow's lone touchdown pass.
