1 of 5 | Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) led the NFL in receiving yards last season. File Photo by Larry Marano/UPI |
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A Miami-Dade police officer was placed on administrative duties for his involvement in the detainment of wide receiver Tyreek Hill before the Miami Dolphins' season-opener Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Police briefly detained Hill while he was driving to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. The wide receiver was released a few hours before the game and went on to total 130 yards and a score on seven catches in a 20-17 victory.
The incident occurred before 11 a.m. EDT on a roadway just outside of Hard Rock Stadium. Miami-Dade Police Department director Stephanie V. Daniels first said the incident was under review, before announcing the decision to place the unnamed officer on administrative duties.
"I'm committed to transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers," Daniels said.
Several social media users posted videos of the incident, which showed Hill on the ground, lying face down, with officers at his side and his wrists in handcuffs. Several teammates and Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, were on the scene, which led to Hill being ticketed for a traffic violation.
Hill said after the game that he had "no idea" why officers placed him in handcuffs. He also said he was not disrespectful toward the officers.
"Right now, I'm still trying to put it all together," Hill said. "So I'm not going to give you a version that I still don't know what happened.
"But I do want to be able to use this platform to say 'What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill?' Like worst case scenario, because it is crazy."
Police plan to review available body camera footage and provide updates as further information becomes available.
"I don't really know all of the details of it, outside of upsetting portions of teammates and their wellbeing," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of the incident. "I was really happy with the way our team came together when teammates were in need. I was proud of the other guys jumping in to try to help a teammate."
Hill, who caught an 80-yard touchdown pass in the win, celebrated the score by placing his hands behind his back -- mimicking being handcuffed -- while teammate Jaylen Waddle escorted him through the end zone.
"Obviously we had something else [planned]," Hill said of the celebration. "Then this all happened this morning. Like they say, man, 'free my dawg 'Reek.'"
The Dolphins will host the Buffalo Bills in their second game of the season at 8:15 p.m. EDT Thursday in Miami Gardens.