Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained by police about a block from Hard Rock Stadium Sunday morning but was released in time to start and deliver a huge touchdown reception in a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hill said he was pulled over for a suspected traffic violation but denied ESPN’s report that a verbal altercation with police led to officers handcuffing him and placing him face down on the ground.
“No idea,” Hill said Sunday postgame when asked if he knew why he was handcuffed for a moving violation. “Wasn’t disrespectful because my mom didn’t raise me that way. Didn’t cuss.
“Still trying to figure it out.”
After Hill’s 80-yard TD, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle helped him celebrate by grabbing Hill’s wrists behind his own back and pretending to place him in handcuffs.
In reality, Hill wasn’t the only player handcuffed.
Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell, a 17-year veteran, stopped at the scene and said he was also detained in handcuffs attempting to de-escalate the situation on Sunday morning.
Hill, 30, was not arrested and agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed officers issued a moving violation. He said Hill was “distraught” after the encounter with police.
The incident occurred approximately one block from the stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., as traffic started to build ahead of a 1 p.m. start to the game.
“Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support,” the Dolphins wrote on X. “Tyreek and all other players involved have safely arrived to the stadium and will be available for today’s game.”
Hill indeed did play, catching a pass good for 2 yards on the opening drive and finishing with a game-high 130 yards on seven receptions. His 80-yard TD catch and run in the third quarter started a Dolphins’ comeback from a 17-7 deficit. Hill’s score cut the Jaguars’ lead to 17-14 and Miami added two field goals in the fourth quarter.
Rosenhaus expressed concern about how the incident was handled without making any specific accusations.
“How things escalated into the situation that they were in handcuffs and being held on the ground with police is mind-boggling to me,” Rosenhaus told ESPN. “… We will be looking into this. We will be investigating this. We will look out for Tyreek but I’m not gonna make any allegations at this time.”
The Miami-Dade Police department provided a statement on social media.
“We are aware of the recent detainment of Miami Dolphins player Tyreek Hill by Miami-Dade Police Department officers,” Miami-Dade Police Department director Stephanie V. Daniels said. “I have requested an immediate review of all details surrounding the incident, and we are also reviewing available body camera footage. We will provide updates as further information becomes available.”
Rosenhaus said he arrived as the “situation was calming down” and that the Dolphins, including head of security Drew Brooks, got involved and “did a great job.”
“The most important thing is Tyreek is OK physically and mentally,” Rosenhaus told ESPN.
Originally a 2016 fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill played the past two seasons with the Dolphins. He led the NFL with 1,799 yards on 119 receptions and tied for the league lead with 13 touchdown catches in 16 starts last season. It was the sixth 1,000-yard season for the five-time first-team All-Pro.
