Hill “uncooperative” during traffic stop

The Miami police union has defended the conduct of its officers toward star receiver Tyreek Hill during a traffic stop.

“He was briefly detained for the safety of officers after driving in a manner that placed himself and others in grave danger,” union president Steadman Stahl said in a statement. “When stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with officers on the scene, who handcuffed him in accordance with regulations and for their immediate safety.”

Since the Miami Dolphins football star was “still uncooperative,” Hill was then pushed to the ground next to his sports car. “We are confident that the measures that led to Mr. Hill being stopped are correct, as is the case with any investigation,” Stahl continued. “However, we will wait until all the facts are known and Mr. Hill has an explanation for his actions that led to this unfortunate incident.”

The events took place in the run-up to the Dolphins' first game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars (20:17). Amateur videos show the altercation, with four officers taking care of Hill. It speaks in the wide receiver's favor that one of the quartet was later relieved of duty by the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The incident caused a stir in the USA. “I still don't know what happened,” said Hill, who shone on the field with 130 yards of gains and a caught touchdown, and criticized: “What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill? God knows what those guys would have done.”