Police investigate after Dolphins' Tyreek Hill briefly detained near Hard Rock Stadium
MIAMI GARDENS - An investigation is underway after Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill was detained by Miami-Dade police Sunday morning, hours before the team's home opener at Hard Rock Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a statement Sunday afternoon, Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels said she requested an "immediate review" of the details surrounding the incident.
"I have initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to ensure a thorough review of the matter. One of the officers involved in the incident has been placed on administrative duties while the investigation is being conducted," according to the statement.
Daniels wrote that she is committed to "transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers."
A senior law enforcement source told CBS News Miami that Hill, a five-time All-Pro wide receiver, was stopped for reckless driving.
"He was uncooperative and when it was clear he would not cooperate he was placed in handcuffs and detained," according to the source.
The source said the officers did not know who Hill was when they stopped him.
A second player who saw what was happening pulled over, got out of his car and interfered with the officers, according to the source. He was also placed in handcuffs and detained, the source said. Both players were ultimately released.
Hill was cited for careless driving.
After the incident, the Dolphins posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Hill would be available to play on Sunday.
This morning, WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for a traffic incident about one block from the stadium and briefly detained by police. He has since been released. Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support. Tyreek and all other players involved have safely…
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 8, 2024
Hill did suit up and played a pivotal role in the game.
In the third quarter, when the Dolphins were down, he started a comeback with an 80-yard touchdown catch and got the Dolphins to 17-14.
After the score, Hill placed his hands behind his back as if to simulate being handcuffed. Hill finished with seven catches for 130 yards. The Dolphins went on beat the Jags 20-17.
After the game, Hill addressed what had happened. He said one of the officers told him to get out of the car.
"I was doing what my uncle told me to do when you're in a situation like that. Put your hands on the steering wheel and listen," he said.
Moments later, cellphone video shows Hill face down on the pavement, surrounded by multiple officers, as he was put in handcuffs.
"It happened so fast. It caught me off guard, you feel me," said Hill.
Officers then walked Hill to the curb, where seconds later, an officer appeared to force him to sit.
"What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill? Like the worst-case scenario," he said.
When asked why he thought the police put him in handcuffs, Hill replied, "I have no idea, for real. It was crazy. I wasn't disrespectful. My mom didn't raise me that way."
Fans offered their support for Hill.
"The pavement was burning hot and they stuck them down there on the ground. They just broke my heart," said one fan after the game.
"That was the main reason why we came to the game is to watch Hill. I'm happy he was able to pull through and get in the game," said another fan.
CBS Miami's Mike Cugno spoke to Hill's agent Drew Rosenhaus before the game about what had happened.
"Tyreek was detained by the police, I mean, just inexplicably put them in handcuffs relative to a moving traffic violation entering the stadium, of all things, on game day. A surreal situation. I'm extremely upset about it. Thank God, Tyreek is okay. We'll be investigating the police conduct afterward, not making any allegations right now, we'll leave that to Tyreek's legal team. But Tyreek, thank God is okay. It was a very traumatic situation. He pulled it together, he is going to play today. Thank God he's okay," said Rosenhaus.
He added that Hill was fine physically but was mentally very upset about what happened.