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A video shared online shows the exact moment that Tyreek Hill's Miami Dolphins teammates learned that he pulled himself out of the team's loss to the AFC East Division rival New York Jets on Sunday (January 5).
The clip from the game's FOX Sports broadcast, which was shared by X user @HammerTcb, shows fellow wide receiver Jaylen Waddle putting his hands up in confusion and addressing Hill by his nickname during the Jets' third quarter challenge.
"Hey, Cheetah, you done?" Waddle is heard asking on the FOX Sports audio. Fellow wide receivers River Cracraft and Malik Washington, who were standing next to Waddle at the time, also appeared to seemingly learn that Hill had pulled himself from the game during the interaction.
Hill claimed he was "dealing with a little issue" and that "coach kind of pulled me out," though head coach Mike McDaniel gave a varying account of the incident.
“I was not informed that it was a new injury,” McDaniel said via the New York Post. “And, you know, I think at that point in time, my focus was on the players and I didn’t take the time to go and try to figure out more into that. There was guys on the field that were competing, we were trying to win a game, so my focus was there.”
Hill publicly stated his intention to depart from the Dolphins while speaking to reporters after the game.
“I’m opening the door. I’m out bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day I got to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there," Hill said via the Miami Herald's Omar Kelly.
Last month, Hill wrote, "It’s time for me to go coach," on his X account without additional context, which led to trade speculation and then posted, "I might get my first grey hair this year."
Hill finished the 2024 season with 79 receptions for 939 yards and six touchdowns. The eight-time Pro Bowler was acquired by the Dolphins in a sign-and-trade deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.