Tyreek Hill's agent criticizes police treatment of Dolphins star while union defends officers involved

CNN
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Tyreek Hill's agent called the Miami Dolphins star's arrest on Sunday – just hours before the team's season opener – “heartbreaking, disturbing and inappropriate” in an interview with CNN on Monday, while the local police union began to defend the officers involved in the incident.

Speaking to CNN's Sara Sidner, Drew Rosenhaus said he “couldn't believe” what happened after he was stopped for a traffic violation.

“Tyreek just wanted to go to work, he wanted to play a game, he just wanted to do his job,” Rosenhaus said on CNN News Central. “For police officers to arrest him, throw him on the ground like that, put their knee on him, hit him – it's just devastating.”

Several videos on social media showed Hill lying on the ground in handcuffs, surrounded by four police officers before the team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Dolphins said on social media that Hill was “briefly detained” by police after a traffic accident a block from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and released shortly afterward.

It is still unclear what exactly led to Hill being arrested by police. The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) did not want to provide any further details about the incident to CNN, citing ongoing investigations.

MDPD Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation into the incident has been launched and that one of the officers involved has been placed on administrative duty. MDPD police confirmed to CNN that a second Dolphins player, Calais Campbell, was also handcuffed as he attempted to discuss the situation with officers at the scene.

On Monday, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association defended the actions of the officers involved and stressed that Hill was never arrested.

“After being stopped, Mr. Hill did not immediately cooperate with police officers on the scene, who handcuffed Mr. Hill as per protocol and for his immediate safety,” Steadman Stahl, the organization's president, said in a statement to CNN.

“Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground. After the situation was resolved within a few minutes, Mr. Hill was given two tickets and allowed to leave.

“While we are awaiting the conclusion of the investigation in this case, based on what we know, we support the actions of our officers but look forward to continued open communication in the future,” Stahl added.

Hill scored an 80-yard touchdown in Miami's 20-17 win over the Jaguars and celebrated by putting his arms behind his back and locking his wrists together – perhaps a nod to being handcuffed the previous Sunday.

Rosenhaus said the celebration was an opportunity for Hill to “come to terms” with the incident.

“It's just embarrassing to see images of you lying on the ground in handcuffs and the police kneeling on you, shoving you and treating you like a criminal,” he said. “I absolutely believe that this celebration was his way of coping with something that was so disturbing.”

Rosenhaus added: “To Tyreek's credit, he had himself under control. He was able to play the game, make a sensational play, an 80-yard touchdown that helped the team win and come back from behind. His performance was epic.”

“But what happened before the game was disgraceful, unacceptable and should not happen in this society. Who would have thought after George Floyd that we would still see people being treated so unfairly and unnecessarily?”

Hill said after Sunday's game that he was still confused about his pregame encounter with police.

“I wasn't disrespectful because my mom didn't raise me that way, didn't cuss, didn't do anything like that. Like I said, I'm still trying to figure it out,” Hill said at his postgame press conference.

Rosenhaus told CNN on Monday that there was “no question” that the Hill incident would have “consequences.”

“If Tyreek hadn't been a world-class athlete and in incredible shape, who knows what impact this would have had on him,” he said. “He was in pain. He was in pain. He was physically and mentally devastated – something we are seeking answers to – and we will pursue this to the fullest extent of the law.”

On Monday, Campbell recalled arriving at the scene of his teammate's arrest and trying to defuse the situation.

On ESPN, the 17-year NFL veteran said he got out of his car with his hands up and walked toward the police officers, saying, “I'm a friend of his (Hill). I don't know what's going on here, but I think the situation is definitely unnecessary.”

Campbell said he was asked to leave and an officer threatened to tow his car if he didn't leave.

“I told him, I'll stand where you want me to stand. You tell me how far back I have to go and I'll go back, but I'm not leaving the scene,” Campbell said. “This is my friend here. I'm here to support him. I'm not leaving.”

Campbell, who is in his first season with the Dolphins, said that after he failed to vacate his room, the police officer told him he was under arrest and handcuffed him.

The defensive tackle said Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith was also on the scene when Hill pleaded with his two teammates: “Don't leave me alone. Don't leave me alone.”

Campbell told ESPN he was grateful to be there to support Hill.

“Situations like this can escalate quickly. We see this so often in America, that things like this go completely wrong. This is a great opportunity for us to use this platform to speak out against police brutality. This situation could have been a lot worse if we hadn't been there.”

After being released by police, Campbell said Hill was “frustrated and nervous” and told others he would not play against the Jaguars.

The Dolphins are back in action on Thursday when they face their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, at Hard Rock Stadium.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.