Miami-Dade Police Hijack Dolphins’ Pregame Ceremonies

September 9, 2024

Before the Dolphins’ Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained by Miami-Dade Police after being pulled over for speeding near Hard Rock Stadium. The situation escalated when a verbal altercation occurred, leading officers to handcuff Hill and cite him for reckless driving. Other Dolphins players, including Calais Campbell, also became involved, with Campbell temporarily handcuffed when he tried to de-escalate the situation.

The incident, which was recorded by bystanders and went viral, drew attention not only for its timing—just hours before kickoff—but also for Hill’s reflection afterward. He expressed confusion about why the situation had escalated, adding that it made him question how things might have turned out if he weren’t a high-profile athlete. Hill emphasized his desire to turn the experience into something positive, particularly by using his platform to foster better relationships between the community and law enforcement.

SLATER SCOOP: Tyreek Hill body-cam video from Miami-Dade Police. pic.twitter.com/aJvD4SamZk
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) September 9, 2024

Miami-Dade Police have initiated an internal review of the matter, and one officer has been placed on administrative duty pending further investigation. Despite the pre-game chaos, Hill played exceptionally well, leading the Dolphins to a 20-17 victory over the Jaguars.

Tyreek Hill’s comments following his detention highlight his concern about the potential consequences had he not been a famous athlete. He mentioned feeling uncertain about why the situation escalated but followed advice from his uncle to remain calm by keeping his hands on the steering wheel and listening to the officers. Hill acknowledged the sensitive nature of bringing race into the discussion but felt compelled to reflect on how things could have played out differently if he were not a well-known figure. His experience underscores a broader issue regarding interactions between law enforcement and civilians, especially in tense situations.

After the incident, Tyreek Hill expressed confusion over why he was placed in handcuffs. He stated that he had “no idea” what prompted the escalation and emphasized that he was neither disrespectful nor used profanity during his interaction with the officers. Despite the tense situation, Hill maintained that he followed the advice his uncle had given him about dealing with police—keeping his hands visible and complying calmly.

Several of Tyreek Hill’s Dolphins teammates, including Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith, stopped to offer support during Hill’s detention. Campbell attempted to deescalate the situation but was also detained. When asked why officers decided to detain him, Campbell explained that he was told it was for “disobeying a direct order.” The officer stated Campbell was too close to the scene and referenced his car not being moved in time. Campbell clarified that while he was detained, he was not arrested and was later released without further issue.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league has been in communication with the Miami Dolphins regarding the incident involving Tyreek Hill, but he declined to provide any additional comments. This suggests that the NFL is monitoring the situation, though no formal statement or actions have been taken as of yet.

Written by: Brian Burns