Tyreek Hill Says He’s ‘Still Shell-Shocked’ After Police Detainment

Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill says he’s “still shell-shocked” and “embarrassed” following a controversial police detainment that occurred just hours before the team’s season opener on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on The Source, the NFL All-Pro recounted the traffic stop, expressing his lingering shock and confusion.
“I really I wasn’t on that kind of energy. Like, I was chilling. I was following the rules. I wasn’t moving fast because, you know, I got injuries. You feel me? I got things that I go through … I’ve been doing this for a moment now, man. So I’m dealing with some stuff. I’m still kinda shell-shocked from it,” Hill told Collins, accompanied by his attorney Julius Collins.
The detainment, which occurred near Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, saw Hill briefly handcuffed by Miami-Dade Police Department officers for what the Dolphins later described as a “traffic incident.” Video footage circulating on social media showed Hill face down on the ground as officers restrained him, sparking immediate concern among fans and fellow players.
Hill continued, “So I guess the officers, they felt like I wasn’t doing it on their time but … I was doing it. That, you know, man, I’m still kinda shell-shocked from it. And I’m embarrassed.”
Hill’s teammate Calais Campbell was also cuffed by police when he stopped at the scene. The defensive lineman later told reporters that he had tried to de-escalate the situation. Dolphin’s tight end Jonnu Smith was also there.
Despite the pregame turmoil, Hill was released in time to join his teammates for the season opener. The Dolphins ultimately secured a 20-17 victory over the Jaguars, with Hill playing a key role in the conference win. He caught seven passes for 130 yards, including an 80-yard reception for a touchdown.
Miami-Dade police released a statement on Sunday from Director Stephanie V. Daniels, who initiated an “immediate review of all details surrounding the incident.” Hours later, Daniels announced that one of the officers involved in Hill’s detainment was “placed on administrative duties while the investigation is conducted.”
During a news conference following the game, Hill was told by reporters of the department’s decision. “That should tell you everything you need to know, then,” he said as he commended teammates Campbell and Smith for their help.
Drew Rosenhaus, Hill’s agent, commented to CBS, describing the police stop as “surreal” and “traumatic.” Rosenhaus indicated plans to investigate the police conduct but refrained from making specific allegations.
The Miami Dolphins released a statement on Monday, saying they back their players. The team also urged the Miami-Dade Police Department to take “swift and strong action against the officers who engaged in such despicable behavior.”
The statement read: “We are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed toward Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith by police officers before yesterday’s game. It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players.”
The team added: “We stand beside Tyreek and our players as they work to use their platform and this situation to make a positive impact in our community.”
The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the union representing Miami-Dade police, said Monday afternoon that Hill was deemed “uncooperative” and that he was merely “redirected” to the ground while in handcuffs during his detention, as he did not follow orders to sit.
“Before the Dolphins game yesterday, an incident occurred where Tyreek Hill was placed in handcuffs before being released. 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 danger,” Steadman Stahl, association president, said in a news release.
“Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs. Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground,” Stahl added.
“Once the situation was sorted out within a few minutes, Mr. Hill was issued two traffic citations and was free to leave.”
Daniels and Miami-Dade police later announced Monday night that they were releasing the bodycam footage related to Hill’s detainment as a pledge of public transparency. The department says it is committed to conducting a thorough investigation and will update the public on the outcome.
Newsweek contacted Miami-Dade police via email on Monday night for further comment.
In 2014, Hill pleaded guilty to domestic assault charges involving his then-pregnant girlfriend. In 2019, he was investigated by Kansas City police over a battery incident involving his son, though he did not face discipline for that case.
Update 09/09/24 11:48 p.m. ET and 09/10/24 7:24 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional context and information.