MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A number of Dolphins gamers had been detained by Miami-Dade Police Division officers earlier than Sunday’s sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, together with All-Professional vast receiver Tyreek Hill.
Hill stated he was pulled over for allegedly dashing whereas driving to Laborious Rock Stadium, roughly three hours earlier than the sport kicked off. He was finally positioned in handcuffs after a “verbal altercation” occurred, sources informed ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Hill was cited for reckless driving, sources informed Darlington.
He was launched after a number of minutes, however the incident was filmed by close by followers and shortly went viral on social media. Hill stated he did not know why the scenario escalated the way in which it did.
“Proper now, I am nonetheless attempting to place all of it collectively … I nonetheless do not know what occurred,” he stated after the sport. “However I do wish to use this platform to say, ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ Worst-case situation, you realize? … All people has unhealthy apples in each scenario, however I would like to have the ability to use this platform to determine a strategy to flip this and make it a constructive on my finish and Miami-Dade and do one thing constructive for the neighborhood.
“It is exhausting. I do not wish to deliver race into it, however generally it will get sort of iffy once you do. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Lord is aware of what these guys would have performed. I simply needed to ensure I used to be doing what my uncle all the time informed me to do everytime you’re in a scenario like that — put your arms on the steering wheel and simply pay attention.”
Hill stated he has “no concept” why officers positioned him in handcuffs; he stated he was not disrespectful and didn’t use profanity towards the officers.
Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead stated Hill was “fairly upset, however able to play” when he entered the locker room earlier than the sport. Hill recorded a game-high 130 receiving yards towards the Jaguars, together with an 80-yard landing — the longest of his profession. After the play, Hill celebrated by putting his arms behind his again whereas teammate Jaylen Waddle “detained” him.
At one level throughout the incident, movies confirmed Hill mendacity on the bottom, handcuffed, with 4 officers round him.
Dolphins teammates Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith stopped to supply help for Hill and deescalate the scenario, resulting in Campbell’s detainment, as effectively.
“Disobeying a direct order,” Campbell stated when requested why officers informed him he was being detained. “He stated I used to be too near the scene after which I believe he stated one thing about me not shifting my automotive in time, I do not know … He informed me I wasn’t being arrested however he cited me for being detained after which launched.”
“It is exhausting. I do not wish to deliver race into it, however generally it will get sort of iffy once you do. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Lord is aware of what these guys would have performed.”
Tyreek Hill
Miami-Dade PD launched a press release from Director Stephanie V. Daniels, who initiated an “quick assessment of all particulars surrounding the incident.” Three hours later, Daniels introduced that one of many officers concerned was “positioned on administrative duties whereas the investigation is performed.”
Hill was knowledgeable of the choice throughout his information convention after the sport and agreed with the motion.
“That ought to inform you every thing you must know, then,” Hill stated. “I am simply glad that my teammates had been there to help me in my scenario as a result of I felt alone. After they confirmed up, it made me understand that we now have a f—ing good workforce this 12 months, for them to place their life on the road. It was wonderful to see.”
Campbell additionally stated it “is smart” the officer was positioned on administrative duties and that is “the way in which it ought to go.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated the league has been in touch with the Dolphins however declined to remark additional.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated he did not know the entire particulars when he spoke after the sport, however he was pleased with how his workforce got here collectively to assist out a teammate.
“Particularly for a number of the guys concerned — Calais Campbell and Jonnu, they had been all fairly rattled,” McDaniel stated. “I believe you attempt to put together a workforce to deal with the unknown. You positively aren’t forecasting actual conditions. Loads of issues fall below the veil of adversity and the one frequent denominator is that there is a mild on the finish of the tunnel in any form of life adversity. You are not essentially ready for that, however neither had been our teammates that had been in want. So, we simply do our greatest.”
The Dolphins beat the Jaguars 20-17 after scoring 13 unanswered factors within the second half.
The Related Press contributed to this report.