Dolphins issue statement supporting Tyreek Hill, calling for action against cops involved

The Miami Dolphins released a strong statement Monday night, supporting players Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith after their run-in with Miami-Dade police officers on their drive into Hard Rock Stadium for Sunday’s season opener and calling for action against the cops involved.

Sunday morning, Hill, the Dolphins’ star wide receiver was pulled over for a traffic violation that quickly escalated to his detainment and handcuffing.

Smith and Campbell were also driving into the stadium around the same time and went over to check on Hill. Police interactions with them grew aggressive, too, and Campbell was even briefly detained, as well.

Body-cam footage was released by Miami-Dade Police Department on Monday evening, and the Dolphins released their statement hours later.

“We are saddened by the overly aggressive and violent conduct directed towards Tyreek Hill, Calais Campbell and Jonnu Smith by police officers before (Sunday’s) game,” the statement said. “It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did. ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ is a question that will carry with resounding impact.”

Hill posed that question in postgame comments after he scored a touchdown in the Dolphins’ 20-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We are proud to have a strong and positive relationship with the Miami-Dade Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and recognize that the vast majority of officers do serve the community with the utmost character and desire to protect all citizens,” the team statement continued. “However, as is on full display in the videos released (Monday night), there are some officers who mistake their responsibility and commitment to serve with misguided power. While we commend MDPD for taking the right and necessary action to quickly release this footage, we also urge them to take equally swift and strong action against the officers who engaged in such despicable behavior.

“We will stand beside Tyreek and our players as they work to use their platform and this situation to make a positive impact in our community. We have always believed that the game of football holds a unique power to bring people together, and we remain hopeful that through the collective work of the players, organization and our community partners, we can create lasting change.”

The statement follows a series of thoughtful and even emotional messages made in the media by Dolphins players and coach Mike McDaniel following Sunday’s events.

The Dolphins have a quick turnaround for their next game, back at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.