Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was involved in a controversial incident during a recent traffic stop near the team’s home stadium in Miami Gardens. The situation escalated as Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers, leading to him being handcuffed and placed face down on the ground. The incident, witnessed by passing fans and some teammates, quickly went viral before the Dolphins’ season kickoff on Sunday.
According to the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Hill was handcuffed in accordance with the police department’s policy. He clarified that Hill was not under arrest but was briefly detained for officer safety due to his risky driving behavior that posed a danger to himself and others. Despite Hill’s statement of being respectful and unsure as to why he was handcuffed, the officers followed protocol and issued him two traffic citations before allowing him to leave.
Following the incident, a police officer involved was placed on administrative leave, pending an internal review by the Miami-Dade Police Department. The department has declined to release the body camera footage to the public, citing an ongoing internal investigation. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava commended the swift initiation of an investigation into the troubling actions displayed in the video footage.
Hill’s teammate, Calais Campbell, was also briefly handcuffed when he tried to intervene and de-escalate the situation. Campbell witnessed officers handling Hill aggressively and approached the scene with his hands raised, identifying himself as Hill’s friend. However, he was also handcuffed for disobeying a direct order by being too close to the incident.
This incident is not the first off-field controversy involving Hill, who has a history of legal issues, including allegations of domestic violence in the past. Despite previous incidents, Hill is now facing scrutiny over the recent traffic stop in Miami. The situation has raised questions about the use of force and the conduct of the officers involved, prompting an internal investigation into the matter.
