The attorney for Miami Dolphins All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill blamed Sunday’s pre-game traffic jams outside Hard Rock Stadium on “overzealous officers attempting to impose their authority” on Hill.
That’s according to a statement emailed to the Miami Herald by Atlanta-based attorney Julius B. Collins on Monday afternoon.
“We believe this matter was escalated by overzealous officers attempting to impose their authority on Mr. Hill because they were unhappy with the speed at which he complied with their request and that Mr. Hill had not rolled down his window far enough as they desired,” Collins wrote.
“Mr. Hill’s legal team is exploring all legal remedies available to Mr. Hill as we believe the officers’ actions on September 8, 2024 were excessive.”
Of the four officers who responded to the traffic stop about three hours before the Dolphins’ 20-17 win over Jacksonville, one has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
READ MORE: Bodycam footage led police director to transfer officer in custody at Tyreek Hill
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie Daniels said she ordered the reinstatement after viewing some body camera footage. Despite the Herald’s requests for it Sunday and Monday, the department had not released any body camera footage as of Monday evening.
Hours earlier, Steadman Stahl, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association officers’ union, had accused Hill of throwing him to the ground in handcuffs.
“Upon being apprehended, Mr. Hill did not immediately cooperate with officers on scene who, in accordance with policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs,” Stahl wrote. “Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore led to the ground.
“Once the situation was resolved within a few minutes, Mr. Hill was issued two traffic tickets and was allowed to leave.”
Video footage from passing motorists showed an officer verbally abusing Hill as he handcuffed him.
READ MORE: Drivers’ Videos Show Police and Tyreek Hill’s Actions During Traffic Stop at Hard Rock Stadium
The statement from Collins, Hill’s attorney, acknowledged that the stop “was originally a traffic violation, but the situation was escalated after Hill showed the officers his driver’s license and then rolled up his window again.”
Footage shows an officer repeatedly ordering Hill to open the driver’s window, giving Hill less than a second to comply before ordering Hill to get out of the car.
“Mr. Hill rolled down his window whenever the requesting officers asked him to do so,” Collins’ statement said. “Mr. Hill understands the inherently dangerous job of law enforcement and the importance of officer safety; however, at no time did Mr. Hill pose a threat to these officers.”
In the game’s turning point, a play after the Dolphins recovered a Jacksonville fumble in the end zone while trailing 17-7, Hill took a long pass from Tua Tagovailoa 80 yards for a touchdown. Hill celebrated by putting his hands behind his back as if he were cuffed, then teammate Jaylen Waddle came from behind and pretended to let go of Hill.
Miami Herald staff members Grethel Aguila and Doug Hanks contributed to this report.
