Mike McDaniel and Tyreek HIll (Photos via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel got emotional while speaking to reporters on Monday about Tyreek Hill’s controversial detainment.
Before Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium, officers detained Tyreek Hill for a traffic violation. Witnesses shared video footage of multiple officers handcuffing the star wide receiver and placing him on the ground during the detainment:
Tyreek Hill should not have been forcibly driven to the ground, handcuffed and handled so aggressively for a minor traffic violation heading into the stadium before the game. Period. @cheetah pic.twitter.com/Gnu1mrIuUD
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 8, 2024
Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell was also handcuffed by the officers when he tried to de-escalate the situation.
Per Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 South Florida, the Miami-Dade Police Department released an official statement regarding the incident this morning. The department claims that Hill was handcuffed because he was “uncooperative”, and that he was issued a pair of traffic violations.
McDaniel choked up while discussing the incident between Campbell and Tyreek Hill to reporters on Monday.
“The thing that f**ks me up honestly, to be quite frank, is knowing that I don’t know exactly. I don’t know what that feels like. I think it’s very, very important that two things should be true…you let due process work and information to be gathered to appropriately (to) project an opinion. However…I can’t get away from the fact what I know their experience to be…”
#Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel got very emotional and choked up talking about Tyreek Hill getting detained on Sunday.
“The thing that f***** me up honestly, to be quite frank, is knowing that I don’t know exactly. I don’t know what that feels like.”
Full answer via @MiamiDolphins: pic.twitter.com/Pwrlr3XZ5t
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2024
McDaniel expressed confusion over Campbell’s detainment, calling the six-time Pro Bowler a “miraculous man that has done right in all ways, shapes and form. One of the most respected players in the game, Campbell was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2019.
Amid the difficult situation for Hill and his teammates, McDaniel expressed gratitude that the players remain “an extended family,” and that the All-Pro wide receiver didn’t “feel alone.”
Tyreek Hill finished the thrilling season opener with seven receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, including an 80-yard score in the third quarter that sparked Miami’s 20-17 comeback victory.
Miami will try to make it 2-0 on the season when they host the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Mike McDaniel Reminds Everyone He’s The Ultimate Player’s Coach
Being a head coach in football goes beyond the game. It’s also about building strong relationships with the players and keeping the team together, regardless of what may happen in their personal lives.
McDaniel went to the podium and offered strong support for Tyreek Hill and his players, reminding everybody why he’s the type of coach anyone would want to play for.
