In September 2023, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill received two traffic citations—one for careless driving and the other for failure to wear a seatbelt—after being pulled over by Miami-Dade police officer Manuel Batista outside Hard Rock Stadium. The incident escalated when Officer Danny Torres was filmed dragging Hill out of his vehicle and placing him in handcuffs, a moment captured by body cameras. This incident went viral, leading to an internal affairs investigation into Torres’ actions, though no findings have been released so far.
Hill’s legal team, consisting of attorneys Devon Jacob, Stephen Kelly, Jeffrey Neiman, and Julius Collins, issued a statement following the dismissal of the citations, which occurred when the officers failed to appear at a court hearing. The lawyers argued that the officers’ absence from court demonstrated their awareness of wrongdoing, as they could not be questioned under oath. The attorneys expressed that the officers should face disciplinary actions for their failure to attend the hearing, as Hill had the right to a fair court appearance.
The Miami-Dade Police Department described the officers’ failure to appear as an “oversight” and stated that the matter would be handled administratively. However, the department insisted that the citations given to Hill had merit, despite the dismissal. Hill, on his part, took to social media, questioning the absence of online commentators who had criticized his actions during the incident. He also remarked that he could have handled the traffic stop better, although he harbored no ill feelings toward the police.
The incident occurred on the same day the Dolphins were preparing for their season opener, and teammates Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell arrived on the scene in an attempt to calm the situation. Smith was cited, and Campbell was briefly detained but released without citation. The altercation, along with Hill’s controversial actions, added to his already growing list of off-field incidents, which included a physical confrontation with a marina employee and a lawsuit involving a social media influencer earlier in the year.
Since joining the Dolphins in 2022, Hill has been involved in various off-field controversies, but he has expressed personal growth and maturity. In the aftermath of this incident, Hill reflected on his maturation, emphasizing his newfound focus on family life and his role as a father and husband. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel supported Hill’s personal development, noting that Hill had become “a different human being” since their first meeting. Hill himself acknowledged that as he ages, he has become more responsible and committed to being a positive role model for his family.
