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- Tyreek Hill says he could have handled traffic stop better (newsbreak.com)
**Three Days Post-Arrest, Tyreek Hill Reflects on Encounter with Miami-Dade Police**
**MIAMI** — In the aftermath of his arrest by Miami-Dade police, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill admitted he could have managed his reaction better.
Police cited Hill for speeding three hours before the Dolphins faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their season opener. Newly released body camera footage shows Hill hesitated to lower his window when requested, prompting officers to instruct him to exit his vehicle.
Officer Danny Torres, now identified, eventually forcibly removed Hill from the car, handcuffed him, and pinned him facedown on the pavement. Torres further restrained Hill when Hill delayed in following an order to sit.
Speaking to the local press, Hill took responsibility for his delayed compliance but criticized Torres’ actions. Hill emphasized his commitment to accountability, acknowledging he could have lowered his window sooner, though he wished to avoid public scrutiny during the incident.
Reflecting on the incident, Hill said, “My whole life is about accountability. How can I improve?
I could have handled it better by rolling down my window immediately. But I also didn’t want the attention, the cameras.
Still, I need to follow rules like anyone else.”
However, Hill condemned the force used against him, stating, “That doesn’t give them the right to beat me. I wish I had handled it differently.”
Hill learned about the body camera footage release while at a movie theater and described it as “shell-shocking.”
“I feel I handled the situation well,” Hill remarked. “But seeing the footage is shocking.
It’s disheartening to know officers would act this way even with body cameras on. It makes you wonder how they behave without them.”
Hill, through lawyer Julius Collins, demanded Torres’ dismissal from the department. Torres, a 27-year veteran, is currently on administrative duty amid an internal investigation.
Upholding his statement, Hill stressed Torres’ removal, citing mistreatment not only towards himself but also against teammates Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, who arrived to support him.
Bodycam footage shows Torres confronting Smith aggressively and detaining Campbell for “disobeying a direct order.”
“He has to go,” Hill said of Torres. “He mistreated me and showed disrespect to my teammates.
They did nothing wrong. They were just there for support.”
Hill disclosed that Torres’ legal team contacted him and Collins to apologize, but the offer was refused.
The footage also revealed Hill mentioning a recent knee surgery before being forced to the ground a second time. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Hill’s offseason minor knee procedure, which involved a stem cell injection in Antigua.
McDaniel expressed sadness rather than surprise upon seeing the footage. He acknowledged Hill could have handled the situation better but deemed the officers’ actions excessive.
Despite pushing for Torres’ termination, Hill clarified he does not support defunding the police. He stated his respect for law enforcement, aspiring to be an officer himself, and stressed the importance of learning from such incidents.
Hill has faced several off-field controversies since joining the Dolphins in 2022, including an altercation in June 2023 and a lawsuit alleging he caused an injury earlier this year.
McDaniel noted Hill’s personal growth, to which Hill, 30, attested, emphasizing his focus on maturity, family responsibilities, and better behavior.
“This was timely in my life. I’ve matured, particularly in how I handle myself with my kids and family. Being a father, a husband, and a son has become my top priority over the years.”
In Pittsburgh, NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell expressed concern and support for Hill and his teammates, emphasizing the union’s commitment to educating players on handling similar situations.
“This isn’t good for anyone,” Howell said. “We support our players both off and on the field, reminding them to be cautious of their surroundings.”
Howell highlighted the importance of awareness, noting that high-profile incidents bring these issues to light for professional athletes.
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- Tyreek Hill says he could have handled traffic stop better (newsbreak.com)