Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill was “uncooperative” with police and “initiated” the incident that led to him being handcuffed face-down on the ground before Sunday’s game, according to a statement released Monday by the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
Hill was issued two traffic citations after being stopped by police outside of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“First, to be clear, at no time was he ever under arrest. He was briefly detained for officer safety, after driving in a manner in which he was putting himself and others in great risk of danger,” read the statement from SFPBA president Steadman Stahl.
“Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on the scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs,” the statement continued. “Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground.”
Hill, 30, was released after “a few minutes,” per the SFPBA. He wound up catching seven passes for 130 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, in the Dolphins’ season-opening 20-17 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the game, Hill said he had “no idea” why he was handcuffed for a moving violation.
“Wasn’t disrespectful because my mom didn’t raise me that way. Didn’t cuss,” he said. “Still trying to figure it out.”
After Hill’s 80-yard TD, Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle helped him celebrate by grabbing Hill’s wrists behind his back and pretending to place him in handcuffs.
The SFPBA said it will wait for the investigation to run its course but that it stands with the actions of its officers.
“While we are confident in the actions that led to the stop of Mr. Hill, as with any investigation, we will wait for all of the facts to come out, along with any explanation Mr. Hill may have for his actions that initiated this unfortunate incident,” Stahl’s statement concluded.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus expressed concern about how the incident with his client was handled without making any specific accusations.
“How things escalated into the situation that they were in handcuffs and being held on the ground with police is mind-boggling to me,” Rosenhaus told ESPN. “… We will be looking into this. We will be investigating this. We will look out for Tyreek but I’m not gonna make any allegations at this time.”
The Miami-Dade Police department provided a statement Sunday on social media.
“We are aware of the recent detainment of Miami Dolphins player Tyreek Hill by Miami-Dade Police Department officers,” Miami-Dade Police Department director Stephanie V. Daniels said. “I have requested an immediate review of all details surrounding the incident, and we are also reviewing available body camera footage. We will provide updates as further information becomes available.”
Rosenhaus said he arrived as the “situation was calming down” and that the Dolphins, including head of security Drew Brooks, got involved and “did a great job.”
Originally a 2016 fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill is in his third season with the Dolphins. He led the NFL with 1,799 yards on 119 receptions and tied for the league lead with 13 touchdown catches in 16 starts last season. It was the sixth 1,000-yard season for the five-time first-team All-Pro.
–Field Level Media