A police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an event in Miami Gardens involving Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. The incident occurred during a traffic stop on Sunday morning, just hours before Hill participated in his first game of the season. Reports indicate that Hill was handcuffed and laid face down on the street, which prompted some spectators to record the encounter, leading to the video going viral on social media.
The officer involved has not been named, and it has been confirmed that at least two other officers also participated in the detainment. Hill stated he was pulled over for speeding and reckless driving. Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced that an internal affairs investigation is underway.
In a post-game interview, Hill expressed concern over the incident and mentioned that the officer’s administrative leave reflects the seriousness of the situation. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who intervened and was briefly handcuffed himself, echoed Hill’s sentiments by calling the situation “a bit extreme” and suggesting there was excessive force used.
Hill, who aspires to work in law enforcement after his football career, expressed confusion over why he was placed in handcuffs, asserting he was respectful during the encounter. He refrained from invoking race in the discussion but acknowledged the peculiarities of the situation based on his status as an NFL player.
Daniels stated earlier that she had requested an immediate review of the incident and emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability. Campbell described his reaction to seeing Hill restrained and attempting to de-escalate the situation.
After the incident, Hill led his team with seven receptions for 130 yards during the game, including an 80-yard touchdown. In a gesture during his touchdown celebration, Hill mimicked being handcuffed.
Hill’s agent criticized the escalation of the event, describing it as a “heartbreaking situation” and voicing concern over how it unfolded. The NFL has been in touch with the Dolphins regarding the matter but has refrained from further comments.