The Miami Dolphins head coach, Mike McDaniel, took a moment to address his team’s resilience following a contentious incident involving star players Tyreek Hill and Calais Campbell, who were temporarily handcuffed just hours before the season opener. McDaniel emphasized that this incident with the police “will not be swept under the rug.”
On Sunday morning, mere blocks from Hard Rock Stadium, Miami-Dade police halted Hill’s vehicle due to a traffic violation, briefly detaining him. A video that circulated online depicted the star receiver face-down on the ground, handcuffed by police.
Veteran teammate Calais Campbell, who is in his first season with the Dolphins, arrived at the scene attempting to de-escalate the situation but ended up being handcuffed as well.
Hill was issued two tickets. According to Miami-Dade police, the officer involved in the initial contact with Hill has been placed on administrative duty pending an ongoing investigation.
McDaniel, aged 41 and of biracial heritage, reflected on this incident during a Monday news conference. Hill and Campbell are both Black athletes, adding gravity to the situation. “I’ve found it hard not to feel more shocked the more I think about it,” McDaniel admitted to reporters.
Expressing his genuine concern and empathy, McDaniel continued, “What makes me angry, honestly, to be honest, is knowing that I don’t know exactly… I don’t know what it feels like.”
Though he stressed the importance of letting due process unfold, McDaniel described the sentiments Hill and Campbell had shared with him as “disturbing.”
He added, “Just because of my appearance, I’ve never felt discriminated against. In my particular case, I feel pretty helpless sometimes.”
However, McDaniel also highlighted the positive aspects of the situation, stating, “Adversity has brought us two things. I’m very proud that our teammates are teammates and that our guys understand the civic responsibility of a platform.”
Despite the pre-game turmoil, Hill arrived punctually and delivered a stunning 80-yard touchdown that catalyzed the Dolphins’ 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. His celebration with teammate Jaylen Waddle, who mimicked being handcuffed, was both a humorous and poignant moment.
Hill later addressed the media, voicing his confusion over being handcuffed for a traffic violation and insisting that he had not disrespected the officer.
In contrast, the South Florida Police Benevolent Association defended the officer’s actions in a statement from its president, Steadman Stahl. The statement emphasized Hill’s lack of cooperation and the necessity for immediate detainment given Hill’s dangerous driving.
“Firstly, to be clear, (Hill) was never arrested,” the statement read. “He was briefly detained by law enforcement officers after driving in a manner that put himself and others in grave danger.
“After being detained, Mr. Hill did not immediately cooperate with officers on the scene. Following procedure for his immediate safety, he was handcuffed. Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit, and was guided to the ground.”
The official body camera footage has not yet been released, and McDaniel expressed his intention to let the legal process take its course. However, he underscored his commitment to defending his players.
“This is too microscopic to be swept under the rug,” McDaniel firmly stated.
