On Sunday, September 8, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was stopped for speeding while on his way to Hard Rock Stadium for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The traffic stop quickly escalated into the detainment of Hill, along with his teammate Calais Campbell.
Body camera footage showed a tense interaction between Hill and the officers. When asked to keep his window down, Hill allegedly did not comply. The officers then removed Hill from his car and handcuffed him on the ground. Some of Hill’s teammates, who were driving by while the events unfolded, stopped to check on him. However, as a result of not leaving the scene, Campbell was briefly handcuffed as well.
During the detainment, Hill expressed pain and concern about his knee that had recently received surgery. Despite his complaints, the officers pushed Hill down to sit on the curb while he was handcuffed. Later, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association claimed in a statement that Hill drove in a manner that put other drivers at risk, and that he was initially uncooperative, which led to Hill being handcuffed for the officers’ safety.
There is some controversy regarding whether or not the force used by the officers was justified. Some believe that the police were just following the instructions they received during training. However, the others have argued that the officers were overly forceful. Concerned teammates and coaches came out to show support for Hill.
After the incident, the primary officer involved in the altercation, Danny Torres, was put on administrative duties. Hill’s attorney has called for Torres to be fired, stating that the officer’s use of force was “excessive, escalating, and reckless.” Torres’s attorney states that the decision to put the officer on administrative duties was “premature” and called for his immediate reinstatement. In addition, fellow police officers defended the officer’s actions at the scene and stated that Hill was “uncooperative.”
Ultimately, Hill received a seatbelt violation and was cited for careless driving. He was able to make the season opener, and celebrated his 80-yard touchdown by putting his hands behind him with his wrists together, acknowledging the incident that happened just hours prior.
