In a police encounter that “went from 0 to 60,” Tyreek Hill, a great player for the Dolphins, expressed his belief that if he weren’t a well-known football player, authorities might have shot him or taken him into custody.
The wide receiver was detained by Miami-Dade police on his way to the Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game on Sunday, right outside Hard Rock Stadium. He was handcuffed and placed face down on the asphalt.
“Lord knows, in the worst-case scenario, I probably would have been shot or locked up if I hadn’t been Tyreek Hill” and “imprisoned, you know, for a mere moving violation,” Hill told NBC News.
“And it’s absurd that cops would take it to that extent.”
At least one officer has been removed from the streets following the altercation, which was documented on camera and extensively circulated on social media. The Miami-Dade Police Department has opened an internal affairs inquiry.
Hill maintains that he cooperated with the police by revealing his identity and rolling down his window. He claimed that since he was under the shelter of Hard Rock Stadium, he had no need to run or feel apprehensive.
Hill claimed, “My window was knocked on by those guys as soon as they drew up behind me, and it went from 0 to 60 right away,” and he made a team security official call from the car.
The unnamed officer who was removed from frontline duties is being represented by Ignacio Alvarez of the ALGO law firm. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Alvarez claimed that the decision to put his client was “premature,” but he acknowledged the need for a comprehensive examination.
“As Director Daniels has also argued, we demand our client’s prompt reinstatement as well as a comprehensive, unbiased, and exhaustive investigation. Until this inquiry is over and all the facts are known, our client will not comment,” Alvarez stated.
According to a police union representative, Hill was at fault for not cooperating with cops “immediately.”
Police authorities must wait until the internal affairs investigation is finished before they publicly address the incident, according to the police department, which declined to comment on the union’s statement.
According to Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, he received citations for driving without a license and careless driving.
The 30-year-old tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive lineman Calais Campbell thanked his teammates for stopping to assist after they observed him being held in custody while they were driving by.
According to Hill, Campbell was standing off to the side, but he was still shackled. The 38-year-old, well-respected Campbell was previously named the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“As soon as I saw Jonnu and Calais arrive… I no longer felt alone,” Hill added. “I believe they handcuffed Calais for being only 6 or 8 years old. However, it was absurd. The fact that Calais was handcuffed by the same officer who took me down for simply standing to the side was absurd.”
In the end, Hill expressed his happiness that nobody was hurt or worse.
He declared, “That officer was really on a power trip.” “That day, you know, he felt like he just had to do something.” That being said, I’m relieved that no one was harmed.
One of the most well-known playmakers in pro football is Hill.
With 77 career touchdown catches, he is tied for fifth place all-time with retired players Harold Carmichael and Charley Taylor (tied with 79), and No. 35 DeAndre Hopkins (78). Both Taylor and Carmichael have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Hill’s performance on the field in Sunday’s season opener, which Miami won 20–17, didn’t seem to be impacted by the incident; he caught seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Late in the third quarter, with the Jags leading 17–7, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found Hill on a slant at the Dolphins’ 46-yard line on a first-and-10 play from the Miami 20.
Hill then made the explosive 80-yard touchdown run that started the Miami comeback, racing past two Jaguars defenders in the process.
Faking to be handcuffed, Hill put his hands behind his back while teammate Jaylen Waddle approached to lead the way as if he were the arresting officer.
“You have to learn how to enjoy yourself and laugh,” he remarked. “Dude, no matter how much people may believe you’re going through a difficult time or a low point, I always look for the positive aspects of every circumstance. That’s one of the reasons I’m able to maintain my great moral character as a young Black man.”
In addition, he expressed gratitude that Keeta, his expectant wife, wasn’t in the vehicle.
She would have accompanied the journey in any other situation. However, they claimed that she chose to go to the stadium on her own because she was running late on Sunday.
“I’m so glad she wasn’t there because I can’t even imagine what would have occurred if they had attempted to get my wife out of the car,” Hill said. “She wasn’t in the car, which is good.”