Miami— Following Miami’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dolphins’ star wideout, Tyreek Hill still could not explain why Miami-Dade police handcuffed him before the game.
“I have no idea, for real, no idea, no idea man,” Hill said during his post-game press conference. “It’s crazy, no idea. I wasn’t disrespectful. My mom didn’t raise me that way. I didn’t cuss. I didn’t do none of that. So, like I said, I’m still trying to figure it all out.”
Three hours prior to kickoff, videos of officers putting Hill facedown, on the ground in handcuffs popped up all over social media. The incident happened right outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The NFL’s top receiver from a year ago was briefly detained and then released, allowing him to play in today’s game.
Hill said the officers told him he was speeding and reckless driving.
“If you said I did something, write me a ticket, and do whatever you have to do,” Hill said. “But don’t be disrespectful."
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, Miami-Dade Police director Stephanie V. Daniels said, “One of the officers involved in the incident has been placed on administrative duties while the investigation is conducted.”
Shortly after the incident occurred, the Miami Dolphins released a team statement.
“This morning, WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for a traffic incident about one block from the stadium and briefly detained by police,” the statement read. “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.”
This morning, 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. Tyreek and all other players involved have safely…
Hill said his teammates stopped and offered support once the officers pulled him over.
“I’m just glad my teammates were there to support me in that situation because I felt alone,” Hill said. “When they showed up, it made me realize that we got a good team this year. For them to put their life on the line... it was an amazing thing to see.”
Today’s incident did not impact Hill’s production on the field. During the third quarter, “The Cheetah” linked up with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for an 80-yard scoring strike. Miami overcame a 14-0 deficit to defeat Jacksonville 20-17. Hill finished the Week 1 match up with seven receptions for 130 yards in a touchdown.
“At the end of the day, I still have a job to do,” Hill said. “Nobody worried about if I drop three passes because he’s still thinking about the little scenario… I still got a job to do. I got a family to feed. I got to be a leader of this team. I got to find ways to bounce through adversity no matter, whenever it hits.”
More details surrounding today’s pregame incident will come out in the upcoming days. For now, Hill just wants to carry the momentum from Sunday’s victory into their Thursday night showdown against division rivals - the Buffalo Bills.
“It’s great for the confidence in the locker room for all the guys to see we’re not going to be easy to beat,” Hill said. “Not every game is going to be perfect. Granted, we don’t want to put ourselves behind the eight ball. But if we got to, we still got to be mindful that we can come back at any moment because we got the team to do it... and hey, I’m just blessed to a part of this team, blessed to be here with you guys today.”
Desmond Purnell
