Tyreek Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ star wide receiver who was detained by police in front of his team’s stadium on Sunday before their season opener, spoke out after seeing new body-worn camera footage of his tense encounter released by authorities on Monday evening.
The Miami-Dade Police Department, which said it usually releases body-worn camera footage only after an internal review, released 105 minutes and 33 seconds of footage of six different officers to “reinforce the department’s commitment to keeping the public informed.” decided to do. Director Stephanie V. Daniels said in a statement Monday.
Speaking to CNN’s Caitlan Collins on Monday night, Hill said he was “still shellshocked” and “embarrassed” by watching the videos. The Dolphins’ wide receiver said that if he weren’t a recognizable NFL player, the headlines would have looked very different—and gave a worst-case example: “Tyreek Hill shot in front of Hard Rock Stadium.”
Hill’s lawyer, Julius Collins, told Anchor that his client was trying to comply with the authorities’ urgent demands, while also trying to contact his team’s director of security, Drew Brooks.
Earlier Monday, the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association released a statement in support of the officers’ actions, claiming that Hill was “not immediately cooperative” and forced to the ground only after refusing to sit down.
“I think the video contradicts everything they say,” Hill’s lawyer told CNN. “Even to the point that he refused to sit down, he actually said to the guy, hold on. I’m going to sit down.”
Hill again called for changes after his harrowing ordeal, echoing comments he made after Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Shortly before his appearance on the news network, Hill tweeted: “Let’s make a change.” He addressed the sentiment during his interview, saying, “I’m not a big believer in dividing people, you know, I don’t believe in all that.
“I believe in bringing people together because that’s my life’s purpose,” Hill said. “So when I say, let’s make a change, let’s do it together.”
In the video released Monday, multiple officers on motorcycles pull Hill over after passing him in his McLaren sports car. But things quickly went south after the disgruntled football star complained about an officer knocking on his window.
Hill complied with officers’ instructions and surrendered his driver’s license, but then rolled back his window. “Keep your window down or I’m going to kick you out of the car,” an officer yelled at Hill. Seconds later, the officer said, “Actually, get out of the car.”
After the officer repeated the command a few more times, another officer opened Hill’s door and forced him out of the driver’s seat, at one point appearing to grab the Miami Dolphins by the hair.
As the officers knelt on Hill’s back and placed handcuffs on him, Hill placed his phone on the sidewalk. “Hey Drew, I’m getting arrested!” he shouted to the person on the other end of the line.
That person was likely team security director Drew Brooks, based on Collins’ comments to CNN. Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said NBC Sports He arrived at the scene after Hill was placed in handcuffs.
“When we tell you to do something, you do it. You understand?” An officer yells at the wide receiver. “You’re a bit confused!”
“I just had surgery on my knee! I just had surgery on my knee!” Hill screams as they force him to the ground a second time.
“Really, what a coincidence!” An officer aggressively yells at him. “Did you have your ear surgery done when we asked you to put the window down?”
Police were then seen shouting at onlookers to back up and to avoid parking near the scene. It also shows the moment he yells at Hill’s teammates, defensive lineman Calais Campbell and tight end Johnnu Smith, threatening to cuff fellow Dolphins if they don’t back up.
Campbell later told a reporter postgame that he was also handcuffed by officials at the scene. Some footage also captures the moment, with an officer handcuffing him as he walks back to his car.
At one point, at least some of the officers realized who they were detaining. “You know who he is, right,” another officer asks. “He’s one of the Dolphins’ star players.”
At least one officer involved in the arrest was placed on administrative duties pending an internal investigation, the police department confirmed Sunday.
Despite the tense and chaotic scene, Hill was eventually released with only two traffic tickets. He entered the game, where he ran for 130 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. Hill immediately spoke about the detention Press conference After the Dolphins win over the Jaguars.
An attorney for Hill later said Associated Press The football player was exploring legal options, saying that “at no time was Mr. Hill a threat to these officials.”
The Dolphins also condemned the behavior of the officials statement published on Monday night, calling his behavior towards his players “extremely aggressive and violent”. They praised the department’s decision to release the body cam footage, and asked them to “take swift and strict action against the officers who engaged in such despicable conduct”.
Post Tyreek Hill ‘shellshocked’ after watching brutal bodycam video of his arrest appeared first The Daily Beast.