During the Miami Dolphins‘ Week 18 game against the New York Jets, star wide receiver Tyreek Hill unexpectedly pulled himself out of the game. The move left his teammates noticeably shocked.
Fox Sports cameras captured the moment when Jaylen Waddle, among others, learned of Hill’s decision to sit out the remainder of the game.
“Hey, Cheetah. You done?” Waddle can be heard saying.
Cheetah is a reference to Tyreek’s nickname.
Fellow receivers River Cracraft and Malik Washington also learned that their teammate is not coming back into the game at this time.
Wow. The moment when Tyreek Hill quit in Sunday’s season finale at the Jets.
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) January 9, 2025
The Fox broadcast captured a stunned Jaylen Waddle asking him if he’s done. pic.twitter.com/nWyqSiGioG
Tyreek Hill Was ‘Out’
The absolute best thing about that video above is that the Dolphins season is crashing down on them, it’s the exact moment their star player quits and his teammates slowly come to that realization, and the PA system in MetLife Stadium starts playing the theme song from Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Seriously, go watch it again. It’s amazing.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel initially told reporters of Hill’s move after the game.
“I was informed he was unavailable right before a drive,” said McDaniel. “I was not informed that it was a new injury. Focus was on players on the field.”
There has been some speculation that Hill had seen the score of the Chiefs-Broncos game, in which Miami needed the Broncos to lose in order to get into the playoffs. Instead, Denver squashed KC.
RELATED: After Being Accused of Quitting, Tyreek Hill Gives Funniest ‘I’m Leaving’ Interview Ever
Quitting On His Team
Tyreek Hill initially suggested it was McDaniel’s decision to have him “kinda pulled out” of the game. But his post-game interview made it very clear that he was quitting on his team.
“This is my first time I haven’t been in the playoffs,” Hill said. “I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro.”
See how that matches up with the rumors that he was upset to see the Broncos score? It’s a temper tantrum over not making the playoffs.
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill basically said he wanted out of the Dolphins organization after the game. pic.twitter.com/gIiMv7Edaf
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) January 6, 2025
“It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, bro, I got to do what’s best for my career,” Hill added. “I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
Nobody who is an actual competitor quits on their team like ‘Cheetah’ did.
Tyreek later added to the controversy by temporarily posting a profile picture on X with his face photoshopped onto Antonio Brown’s body, capturing the moment Brown infamously quit on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.
Hill had a pedestrian performance in 2024, which helped keep the Dolphins out of the playoffs. He had the lowest number of receptions and yards since 2019, and the lowest trips to the end zone since his rookie season.
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