Kicked Out of Oklahoma State, Tyreek Hill Reminisces ‘Wild’ 3-Month Journey Before Starting at West Alabama

Tyreek Hill is revealing some past stories! Hill is arguably one of the premier wide receivers in the league today. However, his background to reach till here includes a tumultuous chapter. He recently reflected on the time when he was “kicked out of Oklahoma” amid allegations of “domestic assault,” leading to his arrest in December 2014.

Before the 2015 season, Hill joined the University of West Alabama, but the 3-months leading up to his recruitment were quite “wild” for the Miami Dolphins WR. Relying on his grandma’s “faith” as the only hope, one of the fastest WRs of the league, shared the challenges he faced during that time.

Tyreek Hill covered 8 hours with his grandma to play a game?

In a latest episode of The Pivot Podcast, Tyreek Hill joined the hosts on the show to talk about his NFL career, stint with both the NFL teams, and early struggles. Hill shared that initially he was reluctant to go to Garden City, as he was raised by his grandparents, and his grandfather who had a rough life, took care of his family. Despite wanting to stay close to his grandmother, Hill got a job at Wendy’s and planned to work for a few years before going to college. However, his grandmother encouraged to go to Garden City, asking him to pray for a better future and keep faith in himself, ensuring that she had been in the world before him and would be there after him.

Reluctant but motivated, Hill went to the City, where he initially didn’t like it due to being far from home and not knowing anyone. Eventually, he got close to Nick Marshall, a quarterback from Auburn, and connected with others from the neighborhood. After committing from Oklahoma State, Hill faced trouble, got kicked out, and transferred to West Alabama, before entering the NFL. Hill highlighted the “wild” three months which he spent in Alabama. He mentioned, “It was crazy. I only went to West Alabama for like three months. I ain’t go to school or nothing. They were just there for the football team. I literally showed up one day before the first football game, no training camp nothing, nothing. I haven’t trained or nothing because after I got kicked out of Oklahoma State I had sat for like a whole 6 months and I was trying to decide where I wanted to go, coz no school would take me. I had just got dismissed.”

Hill continued, “So, finally West Alabama, their president, he accepted me the day before the game and they called me. I live like 8 hours away. They were like, ‘Can you be here before the first game.’” The 30-year-old added that he got into his car with his grandma, drove up to the game. Without attending training camps or knowing the plays, Hill showcased his incredible talent by scoring two kickoff returns in that game. Hill said after this, he “went out there to the guys. I looked them all in the face. I said all right, look y’all just get on somebody bro y’all just touch somebody that’s all I need y’all to do take him to the crib every time D2 was wild though it was wild though.”

Read more: Tyreek Hill Dubs ‘Role Model’ Antonio Brown 3rd Best WR in NFL Despite Off Field Antics: “Dude an Inspiration”

Despite his 3-months journey at Alabama, Hill made his remark in the University, and was started being referred to as a “pure speed” performer.

Tyreek Hill’s journey at Alabama prompted the Chiefs to draft him!

Initially the head coach of the University of West Alabama, Brett Gilliland, was hesitant to pick Tyreek Hill due to his previous incident. But after discussions with Hill and the judge’s ruling of that 2014 case, Gilliland decided to bring him into the program. In his three months of career, Hill excelled in his versatile role, contributing both in rushing and receiving with 681 yards and gaining over 700 yards in kick and punt returns at West Alabama.

Ironically, he wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but due to his Pro Day in Alabama, the scouts were impressed with his “pure speed threat.” Eventually, the KC Chiefs selected Hill with the 165th pick in the 2016 draft, leading to a positive reaction from the fans in KC.

And now, he has become “Cheetah” of the NFL.