EisMiami-Dade Police Department has released body cam footage of the Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s controversial detainment from Sunday, Sept. 8th.
Hill was pulled over for a traffic violation, near Hard Rock Stadium hours before the Dolphins were set to host the Jacksonville Jaguars for a week 1 contest. The footage started as a routine traffic stop where the officer approached Hill’s car and informed him that he was speeding. As Hill was giving his license to the officer, he stated, “Don’t knock on my window like that,” multiple times and “Give me my ticket bro so I can go. Do what you have to do.”
When the officer received his license, Hill rolled his window up, which led to the officer knocking on the window again. “Keep your window down or I’m going to get you out of the car,” the officer said. “As a matter of fact, get out of the car. Get out of the car right now. We’re not playing this game. Get out. Get out!” The officers proceeded to pull Hill out of the car and throw him to the ground. Hill was seen on his phone talking to Dolphins Head of Security Drew Brooks pleading for help as he was being detained.
The officers got Hill into handcuffs and brought him towards the curb. When trying to sit him down, Hill said, “I just had surgery on my knee! I just had surgery on my knee!” Two officers then sat Hill on the curb and one stated, “Did you just have surgery on your ears when we told you to put your window down?”
Two Dolphins teammates, Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, arrived at the scene attempting to deescalate the situation. As the situation unfolded, Smith pulled his vehicle in front of Hill’s car and called for the Dolphins Head of Security to assist Hill. The officers confronted Smith, ordering him to leave the scene. Smith walked back to his car and was later issued a citation. Campbell appeared later when Hill was already detained. He stated that the situation was a misunderstanding. Officers told him multiple times to leave as he stood in front of his car. “I’m not going to tell you again, you need to leave. I’m giving you an order. If you don’t leave, I’m taking you to jail.” Campbell eventually walked away but was followed by the officer and detained.
Fans came together online to share their opinions on the body cam footage and how the situation could have been handled differently.
“I was shocked when I heard he got arrested. Something didn’t sound right when they said it happened on the day of the game.” – Tim Dalton, NFL fan
As the incident deescalated, Hill talked with the officers until Brooks and his agent Drew Rosenhaus arrived at the scene. Hill was let go by the police and was able to participate in the game later that evening.
Dolphins fan Daniel Hernandez stated, “It’s sad for things like this to keep happening. Although I’m a Miami fan, I think both sides could have better dealt with the situation.”
