MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins coaches and players have described the body camera footage of Tyreek Hill’s recent traffic stop as “triggering” and “shameful,” after the video showed the Dolphins receiver being forcefully removed from his sports car and pinned face-first on the ground by police.
The incident, which took place outside the Dolphins' stadium, has garnered national attention and sparked discussions among Hill’s teammates. Some players have shared their own personal experiences with law enforcement, as revealed by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Tuesday.
“It was a little emotional for me, hearing Tyreek’s voice in the footage,” Tagovailoa said.
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| Dolphins react to disturbing footage of Tyreek Hill’s traffic stop, with players and coaches calling it 'triggering' and 'shameful,' and sparking discussions about police encounters and personal experiences |
The Miami-Dade Police Department released the video on Monday evening, depicting a traffic stop that escalated quickly after Hill rolled up the window of his car. Despite Hill’s attempt to comply by handing his license to an officer and then signaling for him to stop knocking, tensions rose, leading to a forceful encounter.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s a shame that had to happen that way. When you spend all your time with these guys, you want to be there for them all the time to help.”
In a CNN interview, Hill described feeling embarrassed and “shell-shocked” by the incident, stating he believed he was following the officers' instructions. The video shows Hill being handcuffed and seated on the curb after an officer placed him in a bar hold.
Police Director Stephanie Daniels initiated an internal affairs investigation, resulting in one officer, Danny Torres, being reassigned to administrative duties. Torres’ attorney, Ignacio Alvarez, has called for his client’s immediate reinstatement, while the South Florida police union defended the officers' actions, citing Hill’s lack of immediate cooperation.
The footage has reignited conversations about the experiences of Black individuals with police. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, reflected on the emotional impact, acknowledging his awareness of racial issues but noting he has not faced similar situations.
Safety Jevon Holland expressed that while the footage was unsettling, it did not come as a surprise given the history of disturbing police encounters. He also criticized attempts to justify excessive force based on Hill’s past allegations.
The situation became even more complex when Hill’s teammate, Calais Campbell, was briefly handcuffed while attempting to assist Hill. Campbell, a respected veteran, and Hill were eventually released and allowed into the stadium, with Hill receiving citations for careless driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
McDaniel found Campbell’s treatment particularly troubling, emphasizing the impact on individuals regardless of their personal innocence.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, reflecting on his own experiences, described the footage as “triggering” and shared concerns for his children’s future.
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, appeared on the Dan Le Batard Show, calling for the firing of the officers involved. “Look at the guy that just kicked him right there. That guy should be fired. That’s out of control,” Rosenhaus said.
As the Dolphins prepare for a crucial game against division rival Buffalo on Thursday, Tagovailoa emphasized the importance of addressing the broader issues raised by the incident, while maintaining focus on the team’s performance.
“We don’t avoid the obvious,” Tagovailoa said. “This is something that people in general go through. That’s a life thing. Football, we’re blessed to do this. We’re blessed to make all this money to do what we love and it’s for fun. But that’s really life. No games in that.”
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