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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

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Debate

Tyreek Hill shot at before Week One—Is this a sign of increasing dangers for NFL players?

Tyreek Hill being forced to the ground and being arrested outside the Hard Rock Stadium Sunday led to an unsettling question from the Dolphins WR.  Speaking after leading his team to a win against the Jaguars, the 30-year-old asked “What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?” 

Shortly after his detainment, the video of the incident started doing rounds, and Hill was soon freed. Later, Miami-Dade Police sprung into action and revealed that they had initiated an investigation which led to one of the officers involved in the incident being placed on administrative duties. The police department also released the body cam footage which further agitated those in support of Hill.

Hill, who was allegedly stopped for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt, shared his version of the story later in an appearance on CNN on September 9. The NFL star explained that after he pulled over he tried to cooperate with the police officers and didn’t want to create a scene. But things escalated rather quickly.

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CNN host Kaitlan Collins referenced Hill’s earlier comment and asked “You said if you’re Tyreek Hill you fear this could have ended a lot differently. What do you think could’ve happened?”

Tyreek Hill replied, “If I wasn’t Tyreek Hill, worst-case scenario, we would have had a different article: ‘Tyreek Hill got shot in front of Hard Rock Stadium’ … or ‘Tyreek Hill put in handcuffs, taken in and booked.It’s crazy that me and family had to go through this.”

Hill was released a few minutes later after the incident. However, before that, Hill was forced to sit on the sidewalk and one officer identified him as a Dolphins player. Hence, the officers let him go with some citations after a discussion. The body-cam footage revealed the intricate details of what went down.

In the released video the police officer questions the wide receiver why he doesn’t have his seatbelt and knocks on his window asking him to roll it down. Hill hands over his driver’s license to the officer and repeatedly tells him not to knock on his window. The footage then shows Hill briefly pulling up his window as the officer demands him to pull it down and the situation escalates after Hill delays the action and the officer tells him to move out of the car.

Hill then says, “I’m gonna get out, I’m gonna get out,” before the officer opens the door and removes him. Soon we see that another officer grabs Hill and forces him to the pavement to put him in handcuffs.

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Tyreek Hill shot at before Week One—Is this a sign of increasing dangers for NFL players?

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According to the reports and as per the cam footage, Hill didn’t play out his celebrity status to handle the situation. Even NFL analyst and former player, Emmanuel Acho expressedIt’s disgusting,” acknowledging that “Tyreek Hill never used his celebrity status to get out of the situation,” and tried to deal with things with “humanity.”

Hill also told Collins why he didn’t want to create a scene. “If I let my window down, people walking by, driving by, they’re going to notice that it’s me,” Hill said. “And they’re going to start taking pictures, and I didn’t want to create a scene at all. Like, I just really wanted to get the ticket and then go on about my way,” he explained.

While Hill maintains his innocence, according to the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Hill wasn’t cooperating at all.

What’s the truth in Tyreek Hill’s recent detainment case?

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The South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Steadman Stahl, has explained its own version of events. The officer mentioned, that Hill was not “immediately cooperative” with officers on the scene and that the officers followed their policy in handcuffing Hill, who was “redirected to the ground” after refusing to sit. Well, from Tyreek Hill’s perspective that wasn’t the case at all.

The WR revealed while recalling the incident on CNN, “I was shocked. It was crazy because it all happened so fast. … I really couldn’t like gather everything that was happening. I wasn’t moving fast because you know I got injuries. I got things that I go through. I play a physical sport. … I guess the officers – they felt like I wasn’t doing it on their timing. But I was doing it. I’m still kind of shell-shocked from it.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins and Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins celebrate after Hill’s receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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This incident has definitely hurt Tyreek Hill, who said, “I hate talking like this, man, because I have a kid fan base.” Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus has already said that they will be looking into the incident and see what course of action to take. The ordeal Hill experienced was unpleasant but that didn’t deter him from scoring an 80-yard touchdown in the second half against the Jaguars.

“Cheetah,” even did a celebration referencing his arrest from earlier in the day. Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle pretended to put handcuffs on Hill as he celebrated the TD in some fashion.