A Florida police union alleges Tyreek Hill was driving dangerously when he was pulled over by officers in Miami on Sunday and handcuffed for refusing to cooperate.
While en route to the team’s Hard Rock Stadium, Dolphins player Hill was handcuffed and pinned to the ground by police in a stunning scene ahead of their Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A shocking clip even showed a police officer knocking him to the pavement after he was pulled over, leading to accusations of racism from shocked fans on social media.
Hill was eventually released after being cited for two traffic violations before going to Hard Rock Stadium and scoring in a 20-17 victory for the Dolphins. Amid the outrage over his arrest, Miami-Dade police revealed that an officer has been placed on administrative leave with an investigation into the incident ongoing.
According to the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, police only pulled over the NFL star because he was endangering other drivers on the road, while he was handcuffed for refusing to follow instructions.
A Florida police union claims Tyreek Hill was driving dangerously when he was pulled over by officers in Miami on Sunday
Hill, who was pulled over in startling scenes on his way to the Dolphins’ stadium, is also accused of refusing to cooperate with officers before being pinned to the ground (right)
In a statement issued to TMZ SportAccording to the SFLPBA, Hill “placed himself and others in grave danger” by driving recklessly on the way to the Miami stadium.
The statement continues: “Mr. Hill did not immediately cooperate with officers on scene who, in accordance with policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs.
‘Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore ordered to the ground. The situation was then resolved within a few minutes. Mr. Hill was given two traffic tickets and allowed to leave.’
The SFLPBA concluded its statement by adding that it “stands behind the actions of our officers” but “looks forward to further open communication in the future.”
Hours after the incident, Miami-Dade Police Chief Stephanie V. Daniels (reported by NFL Network) announced that an officer involved in Hill’s arrest has been placed on administrative duty as part of “a thorough investigation into the matter.”
“I am committed to transparency and accountability to the community in every situation involving my officers,” Daniels added. The officer in question has not been identified.
The Dolphins wideout was cited for two traffic violations before being released by police
Hill then played and scored a touchdown in Miami’s 27-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars
After scoring a touchdown, he celebrated by mimicking the moment he was handcuffed and arrested by police.
After scoring a touchdown in Miami’s win, Hill celebrated by reenacting the moment he was handcuffed and detained by police earlier that day.
After the game, he broke his silence about the ordeal, but dodged accusations of racism leveled online against Miami police officers.
“I don’t want to bring race into it, but sometimes it gets a little questionable when you do,” Hill said, via ESPN after the game. “What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? God knows what that guy or guys would have done.
“I just wanted to make sure I did what my uncle always said when you’re in a situation like that: ‘Just listen, put your hands on the wheel and just listen.’”
In a dramatic turn of events, a second Dolphins player later on Sunday testified that he was pulled over outside Hard Rock Stadium as he tried to break up the confrontation between Hill and police.
A second Dolphins player, defenseman Calais Campbell, said he was also detained outside Hard Rock Stadium when he tried to de-escalate the confrontation between Hill and police.
Miami defenseman Calais Campbell said after the win over the Jaguars that his teammate wasn’t the only one being handcuffed just steps from the stadium.
“They put handcuffs on me too and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ I didn’t understand what the big deal was, him putting handcuffs on me,” Campbell said after the game. “I felt some kind of way. That shows how resilient we are. We don’t let that stop us.
“That was a first, 17 years in this game. I saw Tyreek get arrested. I just wanted to make sure he was okay, and try to de-escalate the situation. The officer felt a certain way and put handcuffs on me.”