During Tuesday’s episode of First Take, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith tackled the controversial detainment of NFL star Tyreek Hill in Miami, days before the Dolphins‘ season opener. Smith’s comments came after bodycam footage revealed the tense interaction between Hill and Miami-Dade County police officers outside Hard Rock Stadium, with Hill being stopped for speeding.
In the footage, Hill was seen being uncooperative, a point Smith highlighted while balancing his critique of both the police and Hill’s actions.
“Hill can’t be let off the hook completely”
Referencing a statement from the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, which described Hill as “uncooperative,” Smith argued that Hill’s behavior during the stop cannot be ignored. “When it comes to Tyreek Hill, we can’t let him completely off the hook,” Smith said. “We have a responsibility…to ensure that somehow, some way, you get to live another day and fight that battle.”
Though Smith criticized the excessive force used by police, he stressed that Hill’s failure to immediately comply with officers’ requests was problematic. “The first thing they do when they pull me over, all my windows are down, my hand’s on the steering wheel… that is not what Tyreek Hill did,” Smith noted. Hill, according to the footage, kept his window up and responded, “Don’t knock on my window like that,” when officers knocked.
Smith underscored that Hill’s hesitation to comply with the officers’ demands, including showing his driver’s license and exiting the car, may have escalated the situation unnecessarily. He pointed out that compliance is key in such circumstances, especially for public figures like Hill. “What would have happened to you if you weren’t Tyreek Hill?” Smith asked.
Treek Hill arrest body cam footage has been released
Police actions condemned, but responsibility is shared
Smith’s commentary didn’t spare the Miami-Dade officers either, condemning their “overly aggressive” behavior. He emphasized that while the police went “overboard,” Hill’s initial lack of cooperation played a part in how the incident unfolded.
The Dolphins released a statement following the incident, condemning the actions directed toward Hill and his teammates. Meanwhile, Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has called for the officers involved to be fired.
Ultimately, Smith’s remarks focused on the importance of accountability from all parties involved-stressing that while Hill didn’t deserve the treatment he received, he also could have handled the situation differently to avoid escalation.
