[Video] NFL star Tyreek Hill handcuffed on the pavement–without enough evidence for arrest

Tyreek Hill’s black McLaren sat idling on the shoulder, its scissor doors sealed tight. Miami Dolphins fans slowed down to look. One rolled down a window, squinting at the figure lying facedown on the pavement. “Is that… Tyreek Hill?”

It was. Minutes earlier, police had pulled him over near Hard Rock Stadium. Video footage showed officers shouting at the wide receiver to lower his window all the way. Hill cracked it slightly. That’s when the officer’s patience snapped.

“Step out of the car,” the cop barked. The next thing Hill knew, he was in cuffs, pinned to the ground.

The scene looked like an arrest, but it wasn’t. Hill was cited for reckless driving—and released without charges. His teammate Calais Campbell, who stopped to check on him, was also cuffed and let go.

Handcuffed doesn’t mean arrested

So what gives? According to defense attorney Andrew Flusche, cops can legally handcuff you without arresting you. Temporary detainment to investigate a suspected crime is called a Terry stop. Police can execute one even if they don’t yet have enough evidence to arrest you, and don’t need to read you your Miranda Rights. Most traffic stops begin as a Terry stop, and few evolved not a full-blown arrest.

“The police can temporarily detain you if they have reasonable suspicion to believe that criminal activity is afoot,” Flusche said. “And yes, they can use handcuffs if they feel it’s necessary for officer safety.”

In practice, this “officer safety” claim gets stretched. Sometimes, handcuffs are used to intimidate or punish someone for not cooperating. That might explain why Hill landed in cuffs for refusing to roll his window down further. But a darker possible purpose might be to trick you into complying with voluntary searches. It’s hard to remember, I’m not arrested yet while in handcuffs.

Could police use the “officer safety” loophole on you?

First, don’t panic. Being in cuffs doesn’t mean you’ve lost your rights. It’s critical you don’t fall for the bait.

• Stay silent. You’re not required to answer questions.
• Refuse searches. Officers can’t look through your car without consent or probable cause.
• Refuse tests. In most states, you can refuse a roadside breathalyzer test or field sobriety test during a Terry stop, just like a search. Though once arrested, you may have to blow in a breathalyzer.
• Ask if you’re free to go. If not, ask why you’re being detained. But if police remain silent, don’t keep asking.

“Now is not the time to argue or resist,” Flusche warned. “Let your lawyer fight the battle later.” You can see more of Flusche’s advice in the video embedded below:

NFL star demands answers

Tyreek Hill says he wasn’t rude or disrespectful during the stop. As for profiling, Hill didn’t accuse the officers outright but said in a post-game press conference, “I’m just glad I made it home safe,” and implied the officers treated him differently than others might have been.

The Miami Dolphins released a brief statement supporting Hill, while critics online are already questioning whether the officer crossed the line.

If this can happen to a millionaire athlete in a $200,000 supercar, it can happen to anyone. That’s why knowing your rights—and staying calm under pressure—can make all the difference.

You can see the bodycam footage of Hill being detained embedded here: