Hill on detainment: 'What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill?'

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A number of Dolphins gamers had been detained by Miami-Dade Police Division officers earlier than Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars, together with All-Professional extensive receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hill stated he was pulled over for allegedly dashing whereas driving to Onerous Rock Stadium, roughly three hours earlier than the sport kicked off. He was finally positioned in handcuffs after a “verbal altercation” occurred, sources instructed ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Hill was cited for reckless driving, sources instructed Darlington.

He was launched after a number of minutes, however the incident was filmed by close by followers and shortly went viral on social media. Hill stated he did not know why the state of affairs escalated the best way it did.

“Proper now, I am nonetheless making an attempt to place all of it collectively … I nonetheless do not know what occurred,” he stated after the sport. “However I do wish to use this platform to say, ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ Worst-case situation, you realize? … Everyone has dangerous apples in each state of affairs, however I would like to have the ability to use this platform to determine a strategy to flip this and make it a optimistic on my finish and Miami-Dade and do one thing optimistic for the neighborhood.

“It is exhausting. I do not wish to carry race into it, however typically it will get form of iffy while you do. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Lord is aware of what these guys would have accomplished. I simply needed to verify I used to be doing what my uncle all the time instructed me to do everytime you’re in a state of affairs like that — put your fingers on the steering wheel and simply pay attention.”

Hill stated he has “no thought” why officers positioned him in handcuffs; he stated he was not disrespectful and didn’t use profanity towards the officers.

Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead stated Hill was “fairly upset, however able to play” when he entered the locker room earlier than the sport. Hill recorded a game-high 130 receiving yards in opposition to the Jaguars, together with an 80-yard landing — the longest of his profession. After the play, Hill celebrated by inserting his fingers behind his again whereas teammate Jaylen Waddle “detained” him.

At one level in the course of the incident, movies confirmed Hill mendacity on the bottom, handcuffed, with 4 officers round him.

Dolphins teammates Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith stopped to supply assist for Hill and deescalate the state of affairs, resulting in Campbell’s detainment, as properly.

“Disobeying a direct order,” Campbell stated when requested why officers instructed him he was being detained. “He stated I used to be too near the scene after which I believe he stated one thing about me not transferring my automobile in time, I do not know … He instructed me I wasn’t being arrested however he cited me for being detained after which launched.”

“It is exhausting. I do not wish to carry race into it, however typically it will get form of iffy while you do. What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Lord is aware of what these guys would have accomplished.”

Tyreek Hill

Miami-Dade PD launched an announcement from Director Stephanie V. Daniels, who initiated an “instant evaluation of all particulars surrounding the incident.” Three hours later, Daniels introduced that one of many officers concerned was “positioned on administrative duties whereas the investigation is performed.”

Hill was knowledgeable of the choice throughout his information convention after the sport and agreed with the motion.

“That ought to let you know every little thing it is advisable to know, then,” Hill stated. “I am simply glad that my teammates had been there to assist me in my state of affairs as a result of I felt alone. After they confirmed up, it made me notice that we’ve got a f—ing good workforce this yr, for them to place their life on the road. It was wonderful to see.”

Campbell additionally stated it “is sensible” the officer was positioned on administrative duties and that is “the best way it ought to go.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated the league has been involved with the Dolphins however declined to remark additional.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated he did not know the entire particulars when he spoke after the sport, however he was proud of how his workforce got here collectively to assist out a teammate.

“Particularly for among the guys concerned — Calais Campbell and Jonnu, they had been all fairly rattled,” McDaniel stated. “I believe you attempt to put together a workforce to deal with the unknown. You positively aren’t forecasting actual conditions. Numerous issues fall beneath the veil of adversity and the one widespread denominator is that there is a gentle on the finish of the tunnel in any type of life adversity. You are not essentially ready for that, however neither had been our teammates that had been in want. So, we simply do our greatest.”

The Dolphins beat the Jaguars 20-17 after scoring 13 unanswered factors within the second half.

The Related Press contributed to this report.