Tyreek Hill told teammates 'don't leave me' after being handcuffed and detained by police

Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill told teammates, "Don’t leave me, don’t leave me," as he was handcuffed and detained by police officers before Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hill said he was pulled over for speeding and reckless driving, but he was unsure why he was forced to exit his vehicle where officers put handcuffs on him while he was laying face down on the pavement outside Hard Rock Stadium about three hours before the game.

Dolphins edge rusher Calais Campbell said one officer was "elevated and hostile" during the sequence, which included Campbell also being handcuffed at the scene.

"They were trying to yank him down to the ground. I saw them kick him, pull him down, put on the cuffs. The shoulders look like they were messed up. They got him down. One officer pushed on his head. It was completely unnecessary," Campbell said during an interview on ESPN’s "First Take" on Monday.

"I got out. I had my hands up, approaching. I said 'I’m a friend of his. I don’t know what’s going on here but the situation is definitely unnecessary.' And they told me to 'back up, back up.'

"The officer who was elevated told me I had to leave. I stood there for about five more minutes. I told him I’ll stand where you want me to stand. But I’m not leaving the scene. This is my friend here and I’m not leaving."

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, right, celebrates with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Jaguars during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sept. 8, 2024.
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, right, celebrates with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Jaguars during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sept. 8, 2024.

Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie Daniels told the Miami Herald she placed an officer on administrative duties after watching body-camera footage during the incident.

"I’ve seen some of it," Daniels told the Herald, regarding the footage. "That is why one of the officers is placed on administrative duties."

A spokesman told USA TODAY Sports no additional details would be released at this time because of the open/active internal affairs investigation. Hill was not charged, but he was issued traffic citations, according to Miami-Dade Police's public records office.

Hill – who had seven catches for 130 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown in the 20-17 win – said postgame he was thankful for his teammates showing up to the scene on his behalf.

“I’m just glad that my teammates were there to support me in that situation because I felt alone," Hill said. "When they showed up, it made me realize that we got a (expletive) good team this year, dawg, for them to put their life on the line. It was amazing to see."

Campbell said he got to the scene around 10:18 a.m. ET. He and Hill were released around 10:45 a.m. Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, Dolphins receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Dolphins director of team security Drew Brooks were also at the scene, he added.

Campbell said Hill was telling Smith, "Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me," as they both were in handcuffs.

"It was a crazy situation that was definitely unnecessary," Campbell said. "You don’t expect nothing like that to happen on your way to work. We’re there already. We’re turning into the stadium. You couldn’t get closer to work without being there."

Campbell said the officer told him if he didn’t move his car, it would be towed because it was blocking traffic. When Campbell responded he would not leave the scene, Campbell said the officer told him, "That’s it. You’re under arrest." Campbell was then placed in handcuffs.

"The officer did not want any questions. He didn’t want us to be there at all. I told him, 'I’m not leaving.' I didn’t say (Hill was) my teammate, I said my friend," Campbell said. "This was one situation where the guy was elevated and hostile."

Campbell said he usually heads to the stadium a little earlier on game days but was running late Sunday.

"This situation could have been a lot worse had I not been there. I was just thinking, like, I usually go earlier to the game, and I just happened to go later. And I’m glad I was because I pulled up right as this was happening," Campbell said.

"I felt like if I didn’t come out the car, I don’t know if the police officer who was doing the most – he came to me to tell me to back up, which allowed for Tyreek to kind of relax a little bit – because he was the one escalating it.

"So, I don’t know what would’ve happened if I wasn’t there."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyreek Hill teammate says police officer was 'elevated and hostile'