Several Dolphins players, including All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, were detained by Miami-Dade Police officers before Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hill explained that he was pulled over for allegedly speeding on his way to Hard Rock Stadium, just three hours before kickoff.
The situation escalated into a “verbal altercation,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, which led to Hill being handcuffed and cited for reckless driving.
Though Hill was released within minutes, fans nearby recorded the incident, and the footage quickly spread across social media. Reflecting on the situation after the game, Hill admitted that he was still unsure of why things had escalated.
“I’m still trying to figure it all out … I don’t really understand what happened,” he said. “But I do want to use this platform to say, ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ You never know how it could have gone.
Every situation has its bad apples, but I want to take this moment to turn it into something positive for myself and for the Miami-Dade community.”
He continued, “It’s tough. I don’t want to make it about race, but sometimes you can’t help but wonder. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?
Who knows what might have happened? My uncle always told me, in situations like this, to keep my hands on the wheel and just listen, so that’s what I did.”
Hill stated he has “no idea” why officers put him in handcuffs, adding that he was respectful throughout the encounter and did not use any profanity toward the police.
Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead noted that Hill was “pretty upset, but ready to play” when he arrived in the locker room before the game.
Despite the incident, Hill put up an impressive performance, recording 130 receiving yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, the longest of his career. He celebrated the play by placing his hands behind his back while teammate Jaylen Waddle humorously “detained” him.
Footage from the incident showed Hill lying on the ground in handcuffs, surrounded by four officers.
eammates Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith intervened to offer support, but Campbell was also detained after officers accused him of “disobeying a direct order.”
Campbell said the officer claimed he was too close to the scene and hadn’t moved his car in time, though he was not arrested.
Reflecting on the situation, Hill said, “It’s difficult. I don’t want to bring race into it, but sometimes you wonder. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Who knows how things might have turned out.”
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels initiated a review of the incident, and three hours later, one of the officers involved was placed on administrative duties pending further investigation.
Hill learned about this during his post-game press conference and supported the decision, stating, “That tells you everything you need to know. I’m just thankful my teammates were there for me because, at first, I felt alone. When they showed up, it reminded me of how great this team is.”
Campbell echoed Hill’s sentiment, agreeing that the officer being placed on administrative duties was the right move. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league had been in contact with the Dolphins but offered no further comment.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, while unaware of all the details at the time, praised his team for rallying around Hill. “Some of the guys, like Calais and Jonnu, were pretty shaken up.
We always try to prepare for adversity, but no one could have predicted this. The important thing is that the team came together, and that’s what matters.”
The Dolphins went on to defeat the Jaguars 20-17, scoring 13 unanswered points in the second half.
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