Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained for a traffic violation before his team's season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The incident occurred near Hard Rock Stadium, with videos showing Hill handcuffed and, on the ground, sparking concerns among fans. After the brief detention, Hill was released and played in Miami's 20-17 victory.
Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed his release, and the Dolphins issued a statement saying Hill and his teammates arrived safely at the stadium. The statement read, "WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for a traffic incident about one block from the stadium and briefly detained by police. He has since been released. Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support."
Social media buzzed with allegations of excessive force, with some users claiming Hill was hit by officers. One user commented, "Police officers in America continually fail at de-escalating situations. Putting Tyreek Hill on the ground and handcuffing him yards from the Dolphins stadium is crazy!" Videos showed Hill face down on the ground, handcuffed, as multiple officers surrounded him.
The incident sparked outrage, with some labeling the Miami-Dade Police Department as racist. Clips of an officer allegedly charging at Hill and hitting him circulated widely, leading to accusations of excessive force during what many believed was a minor traffic offense. Hill expressed confusion over the situation, telling reporters after the game that he had "no clue" why he was detained. He said, "Right now, I'm still trying to put it all together. ... I still don't know what happened. But I do want to use this platform to say, 'What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill?' Worst-case scenario, you know?"
Hill's on-field response to the incident was notable. After scoring an 80-yard touchdown, he mimicked being handcuffed as a nod to the earlier events. The star receiver said, "I wasn't disrespectful because my mom didn't raise me that way." When asked about the incident, Hill added, "I just wanted to make sure I was doing what my uncle always told me to do whenever you're in a situation like that — put your hands on the steering wheel and just listen."
Hill described being pulled over for alleged speeding while driving to the stadium. He stated that he was handcuffed following a verbal altercation and cited for reckless driving. Reports from those familiar with the incident revealed that Hill did not use profanity or act disrespectfully towards the officers. After the game, Hill commented, "I want to be able to use this platform to figure out a way to flip this and make it a positive on my end and Miami-Dade and do something positive for the community."
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced an internal investigation, with one officer placed on administrative duty. Daniels stated, "Following the incident involving Tyreek Hill, I have initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to ensure a thorough review of the matter. I'm committed to transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers."
Despite the pregame drama, Hill's performance was stellar, highlighting his resilience. His touchdown celebration, with teammate Jaylen Waddle pretending to handcuff him, underscored the bizarre start to the game. Hill, a five-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, has consistently been one of the NFL's top wide receivers.
The Dolphins rallied around Hill, with several players stopping to support him during his detention. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who also ended up in handcuffs while trying to help, highlighted the resilience of the team, saying, "We didn't let that stop us. We just got back in line, got focused again, and went out there and played a good football game."
