The Miami Dolphins have released a statement on Tyreek Hill’s controversial detainment by Miami-Dade Police Department officers on Sunday.
Tyreek Hill was pulled over and detained by officers during his commute to the Dolphins’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. Video footage from witnesses and police bodycams showed officers acting unnecessarily aggressively towards Hill during the incident.
Even though the 30-year-old showed no aggression, the officers forced Hill out of his car and placed him in handcuffs. Offices slammed him to the ground despite Hill warning them that he had knee surgery.
On Monday evening, the Dolphins released a powerful statement criticizing the officers’ “overly aggressive and violent conduct towards” Hill and teammates Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, who were at the scene. Campbell was also handcuffed while trying to de-escalate the situation.
The Dolphins emphasized their “strong and positive relationship with the” department but noted that “there are some officers who mistake their responsibility and commitment to serve with misguided power.”
The footage of Tyreek Hill’s detainment can be seen below. Just a warning that the video contains language that is NSFW, and viewers may find it triggering:
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Hours after the incident, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced that one of the officers involved in the Hill incident had been placed on administrative leave.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Hill expressed concern that things would have been even worse if he “wasn’t Tyreek Hill.” There have been widespread calls for the officers who be fired for their behavior toward the All-Pro wide receiver.
Tyreek Hill Saved The Dolphins On Sunday
Hill managed to put the controversy and disturbing incident behind him once the season opener commenced. He was Miami’s most productive player, hauling in seven receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown (an 80-yard score) in the 20-17 victory.
Up next, Hill and the Dolphins will try to jump to 2-0 on the year when they host Josh Allen and the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on Thursday.