Dexter Lawrence joins Cincinnati Bengals with a 'burning fire'

Dexter Lawrence was enjoying his Saturday evening at home playing the "NBA 2K" video game when his phone started ringing. Lawrence’s agent, Joel Segal, called to inform the three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle that he would be joining the Cincinnati Bengals . It took Lawrence a minute to process what was about to transpire.

“It was abrupt,” Lawrence recalled of when he learned the New York Giants were trading him to the Bengals. “Didn't know much, just going through the process and talking to my agent. Just had to pray.

I prayed a lot, man, and because I was out of control of a lot of things. It was like somebody was hanging me like this with a string, but I'm blessed to be here. I'm happy.

” The Bengals gave the Giants their first-round NFL Draft pick (No. 10 overall) for Lawrence. For years now, Cincinnati’s coaching staff and front office have admired the way he plays the game.