Miami-Dade Police have placed an officer on administrative leave following the detainment of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill just hours before the team’s season opener. The incident occurred Sunday morning, as Hill was briefly held by police after a traffic stop near Hard Rock Stadium. The team confirmed the situation on social media, stating that Hill was released shortly after.
Miami-Dade Police Director Stephanie V. Daniels announced that an internal investigation has been launched into the officer’s conduct, and one officer has been reassigned to administrative duties while the investigation is ongoing. A second Dolphins player, defensive tackle Calais Campbell, revealed that he was also handcuffed at the scene when attempting to calm the situation.
“Following the incident involving Tyreek Hill, I have initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to ensure a thorough review of the matter,” Daniels said in a statement. “One of the officers involved has been placed on administrative duties while the investigation is conducted. We are committed to transparency and accountability.”
For Hill, the strange start to his 2024-25 season didn’t stop him from having a standout game. After being detained, he helped lead the Dolphins to a thrilling 20-17 comeback victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hill, known for his speed and earning the nickname “Cheetah,” scored a key third-quarter touchdown on an 80-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Hill’s touchdown celebration – putting his wrists together behind his back – seemed to reference his earlier encounter with police.
Despite the pregame drama, Hill finished the game with seven catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Jason Sanders sealed the win with a 52-yard field goal as time expired, overcoming a 14-0 deficit.
Reflecting on the incident at his postgame press conference, Hill expressed confusion about the police stop. “I wasn’t disrespectful because my mom didn’t raise me that way,” Hill said. “I didn’t cuss or anything like that. I’m still trying to figure out what happened.”
The Dolphins addressed the situation on social media, explaining that Hill had been pulled over for a traffic violation near the stadium. “Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support. Tyreek and all other players involved have safely arrived at the stadium and will be available for today’s game,” the team stated.
A video of the incident reportedly shows Hill being handcuffed and lifted from the ground by police. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, strongly condemned the police’s actions, calling the situation “unacceptable” and suggesting potential legal action.
“What happened today to Tyreek at the stadium is completely unacceptable,” Rosenhaus said in a statement. “Tyreek did not deserve to be treated this way by the police involved.”
Rosenhaus added that Hill had received a moving violation ticket but was focused on playing in the game. “The most important thing is that Tyreek is okay physically, but mentally, he was very distraught by what happened,” Rosenhaus said. “He’s a big supporter of the police and was telling them, ‘I want to be a police officer in the future,’ but this situation was crazy.”
After the game, Campbell shared his own frustration at being handcuffed while trying to intervene. “They put handcuffs on me too, and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’” Campbell told NFL Network. “I didn’t understand what the issue was. But it just shows our resilience. We got back in line and focused on the game.”
Rosenhaus said Hill was “stunned” by the incident but maintained his professionalism throughout the day. “He’s a very strong man, and I’m confident he’ll pull it together and be at his best,” Rosenhaus said.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Miami-Dade Police Department reviewing available body camera footage. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.