Tyreek Hill ‘still processing’ pregame detainment by police

In Miami Gardens, Florida, several Miami Dolphins players were briefly detained by police before their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Among those detained was All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who said he was pulled over for speeding while en route to Hard Rock Stadium approximately three hours ahead of kickoff.

Reports indicate that Hill was placed in handcuffs following a “verbal altercation” with police, leading to a citation for reckless driving. After a short period, Hill was released, but the encounter attracted attention as fans filmed the incident, which quickly spread on social media.

Reflecting on the situation after the game, Hill expressed confusion and frustration about the escalation. “Right now, I’m still trying to put it all together… I still don’t know what happened,” he said. He voiced a desire to use his platform to address the broader implications of encounters like his. “What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Worst-case scenario, you know?” he said. “I want to be able to use this platform to figure out how to turn this into a positive.” Hill added that while he didn’t want to focus on race, he felt the situation could have unfolded differently for someone else.

Haying that he complied with the officers and remained respectful during the encounter, Hill stated, “I have no idea why they placed me in handcuffs.” His teammate, Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead, noted that Hill was “pretty upset, but ready to play” when he returned to the locker room before the game.

In a display of resilience, Hill went on to record a game-high 130 receiving yards, including an impressive 80-yard touchdown—his longest career touchdown. After scoring, he celebrated with a unique gesture, placing his hands behind his back as if to humorously mimic his earlier detainment.

Videos shared on social media also depicted Hill lying on the ground with four officers surrounding him. Other Dolphins teammates, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith, stopped to support Hill, which led to Campbell being detained for interceding. Campbell explained his detention, stating he was told he was “too close to the scene.” He clarified, “He told me I wasn’t being arrested, but he cited me for being detained.” 

After the incident, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced an immediate review of the events. Three hours later, she confirmed that one of the officers involved had been placed on administrative duties during the investigation.

During his post-game news conference, Hill learned of this decision and expressed agreement, stating, “That should tell you everything you need to know.” He was grateful for the support from his teammates, emphasizing that it made him feel less isolated during a challenging moment. “It was amazing to see,” he remarked.

Campbell also supported the decision regarding the officer, stating it “makes sense” and that “that’s the way it should go.” Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league had been in touch with the Dolphins but refrained from providing detailed comments.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel remarked that he was unfamiliar with the full details of the incident when he spoke after the game. However, he was pleased with how his team rallied to support each other. He acknowledged the emotional impact it had on players like Campbell and Smith and emphasized the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges. “A lot of things fall under the veil of adversity,” he said. “You just do your best.”

Ultimately, the Dolphins emerged victorious against the Jaguars with a score of 20-17, having scored 13 unanswered points in the second half.

Source: ESPN