The Miami-Dade Police Department has placed an officer on administrative leave following the detention of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill prior to the team’s season-opening game. The incident occurred Sunday morning, just hours before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when Hill was briefly held by police due to a traffic matter.
Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced an internal investigation into the event, during which one officer has been reassigned to administrative duties. According to reports, another Dolphins player also faced handcuffs while attempting to clarify the situation with police at the scene.
Daniels stated, “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 regarding any situation involving my officers.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed her support for the police department’s immediate actions following the incident. She highlighted the importance of addressing public concerns over police conduct, stating that the internal review would seek to clarify the troubling actions captured in publicly available footage.
Hill had a memorable start to the 2024-25 season, culminating in a Dolphins victory of 20-17 over the Jaguars, capped off with a touchdown celebration referencing his earlier experience with police. After the game, Hill expressed confusion over the events that transpired before kickoff.
“I wasn’t disrespectful… I’m still trying to figure it out,” he said during a post-game press conference.
The standout receiver led the NFL in receiving yards last season with 1,799 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. In the game against the Jaguars, Hill demonstrated his speed with an 80-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Following his score, he celebrated by holding his wrists together behind his back, alluding to the earlier detainment.
The Dolphins recovered from a 14-0 deficit to secure the win, with Hill finishing the game with seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Details surrounding Hill’s detention remain unclear, although the Dolphins confirmed he was pulled over for a traffic incident near the stadium and was later released. Video footage reportedly showed Hill in handcuffs during the encounter with police.
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, stated that his legal team would pursue the matter and is considering legal action. He deemed the treatment of Hill by police as unacceptable and indicated that they were working to understand the situation further.
Rosenhaus later revealed that Hill had been issued a ticket for a moving violation before the traffic stop escalated into a detainment, leaving him and his legal team in disbelief. After the incident, Hill’s emotional state was visibly affected, although he remained focused on the game.
The police department confirmed they are reviewing all details surrounding the incident and have requested available body camera footage for evaluation.