Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was briefly detained by police in Florida prior to the team’s Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The incident occurred when Miami-Dade police stopped Hill for a traffic issue close to the team’s stadium.
The Dolphins confirmed the incident on X, stating, “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 arrived at the stadium and will be available for today’s game.”
At a postgame press conference, Hill indicated that he was pulled over for speeding but refrained from providing further details. Video footage showed him lying face down on the ground while officers appeared to handcuff him. Hill noted that he was uncertain about the reasons for the handcuffs and described the whole experience as “crazy,” asserting that he had been respectful to the officers involved.
He expressed gratitude towards his teammates who supported him during the incident, stating, “For them to put their life on the line … it was amazing to see.” Despite the situation, Hill’s performance in the game remained unaffected, as he scored an 80-yard touchdown in the Dolphins’ 20-17 win against the Jaguars, celebrating the play by mimicking being cuffed.
Police have stated they are reviewing the incident, and one officer involved has been placed on administrative duties pending an internal investigation, according to Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels. She emphasized her commitment to transparency and accountability within the police force.
Hill suggested that the officer’s administrative duty status “should tell you everything you need to know.” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also addressed the situation, praising the swift action taken for an internal review to understand the officers’ conduct during the incident.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell remarked that he too was put in handcuffs during the incident after he pulled over to help de-escalate the situation involving Hill, describing the officers’ actions as “excessive force.”
Hill, now in his third season with the Dolphins, has faced several legal issues in the past, including a 2014 arrest for assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, for which he pleaded guilty to domestic assault. In 2019, he was also accused of battery, and last year, he settled a case with a Miami Beach employee alleging assault, though no charges were filed in those instances, and the NFL did not impose any discipline.