Just hours before the Miami Dolphins were set to kick off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained by police following a traffic violation.
It is unclear what the traffic violation entailed or what happened when Hill was pulled over, but the situation somehow escalated, resulting in Hill being handcuffed face down on the ground, according to video of the incident.
Video of Tyreek Hill’s arrest today: pic.twitter.com/Kope2Ma6tk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2024
A second Dolphins player, defensive tackle Calais Campbell, said he was also handcuffed after he tried to discuss the situation with officers, CNN reported.
Hill was released shortly after the detainment, and Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Director Stephanie V. Daniels said that the department was investigating the incident.
“Following the incident involving Tyreek Hill, I have initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to ensure a thorough review of the matter. One of the officers involved in the incident has been placed on administrative duties while the investigation is conducted,” Daniels said in a statement posted to X. “I’m committed to transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers.”
Hill said during a postgame press conference that he doesn’t know why he was handcuffed, insisting he wasn’t disrespectful to the police.
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“I wasn’t disrespectful because my mom didn’t raise me that way, didn’t cuss, didn’t do none of that. Like I said, I’m still trying to figure it out,” Hill said, according to CNN.
The Dolphins also released a statement regarding the incident prior to the game.
“This morning, WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for a traffic incident about one block from the stadium and briefly detained by police,” the Dolphins said on X. “He has since been released. Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support. Tyreek and all other players involved have safely arrived to the stadium and will be available for today’s game.”
The Dolphins – with Hill’s help – beat the Jaguars after overcoming a 14-0 deficit. Hill had seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. During his touchdown celebration, Hill placed his hands behind his back in an apparent nod to his arrest earlier in the day.
Campbell, the other player placed in handcuffs, said that the incident highlighted the team’s “resilience.”
“But that just goes to show how our resilience though. We didn’t let that stop us,” Campbell said. “We just got back in line, got focused again, and went out there and played a good football game. But that definitely was an interesting way to start a ballgame.”
Following the game, Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told CNN that his legal team would “pursue this matter” and “consider legal action.”
“What happened today to Tyreek at the stadium is completely unacceptable,” Rosenhaus told the outlet. “Tyreek did not deserve to be treated that way by the police involved.”
The agent told ESPN that the incident unnerved Hill.
“The most important thing is that Tyreek is OK physically. Mentally, he was very distraught about what happened,” Rosenhaus said on ESPN, according to CNN. “Tyreek has told me over and over he’s a big supporter of police. He was telling the police there, ‘I want to be a police officer in the future.’ But this is crazy, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
