Charles Barkley criticizes media for using race in coverage of Tyreek Hill's detention: "It bothers me"

The bodycam footage from the police officers who were on scene during Tyreek Hill’s detention before the Miami Dolphins’ season opener on Sunday has sparked many to speak out about who was responsible.

One NBA player is criticizing the media for portraying Hill's arrest as a racial issue.

On Fox Sports 910 in Phoenix, Charles Barkley criticized the media.

"Barkley expressed his dislike for the media's tendency to focus on race when discussing the situation, stating that there are many journalists who enjoy playing the race card. He pointed out that the same thing had happened to Scottie Scheffler, and he urged caution before jumping to conclusions."

Earlier this year, before the first round of the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, Scheffler, the PGA Tour star who won this year's Masters Tournament, was arrested.

Barkley also implied that Hill went about the situation the wrong way.

As a celebrity, you cannot ask, "Do you know who I am?" Instead, you respond with "Yes, sir" and cooperate 100%.

"When we allow race-baiting in the media, it leads to negative consequences, as seen with Scottie Scheffler's arrest."

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN stated that Hill was not entirely at fault for the incident.

"Smith stated on "First Take" that the issue was that everyone saw the initial footage in full support for Tyreek Hill."

When you pull over, they instruct you to roll down your window. What did Shannon (Sharpe) discuss first? The standard procedure when being pulled over. They pull me over, and all my windows are down. My hands are on the steering wheel. That is not what Tyreek Hill did.

Tyreek Hill had his window open. The officer knocked on his window. He didn't bang on his window, he knocked on his window. You hesitate to roll it down. The first thing you say is, "Don't knock on my window like that." He asked you for your driver's license. You hesitated to hand it over. You said in the postgame conference, "What if I wasn't Tyreek Hill? What if somebody wasn't Tyreek Hill kept the windows rolled up, hesitated to roll it down, didn't hand over the license immediately when asked for it, and then hesitated to get out of the car when they told you to get out of the car?"

"We must be responsible. My point is that the officers cannot be excused for their actions. However, I am also saying that Tyreek did not deserve what happened to him. I am not implying that he did anything wrong. The police officers have the power to stop and question individuals. When they ask for your driver's license and tell you to get out of the car, you must comply."

The Miami-Dade Police Department reported that Hill was given a citation for careless driving and not wearing a seat belt during a traffic stop near the Hard Rock Stadium, just minutes away from the Dolphins' stadium.

The bodycam footage captures the dramatic scene where police officers forcefully remove Hill from his car after he becomes agitated when they approach his window. He is then handcuffed on the ground in the middle of heavy traffic.

Hill was found in violation of Florida law 316.1925, which states that drivers must operate their vehicles carefully and prudently, taking into account the road conditions, traffic, and other circumstances to avoid endangering the lives, limbs, or property of others. Failing to drive in this manner constitutes careless driving and a violation of this section.

It was reported that Hill was traveling at a "visual estimation (of) 60 mph" in a 40 mph zone.

Bodycam footage showed that Hill's Dolphins teammates Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell tried to intervene when he was in handcuffs, but officers gave them citations as well.

Miami Police Department Chief Manuel Morales stated that the body-worn camera footage of the interaction between Miami-Dade Police members and Mr. Hill is difficult to watch, but it serves as a reminder to always strive for improvement.

"Although there was no involvement of Miami Police in the incident, I hope we can move forward and use it to strengthen our partnership between professional athletes, the community, and the brave law enforcement officers who protect us all. When we collaborate, we all benefit."

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