MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tyreek Hill outdid himself Sunday. The dynamic Miami Dolphins wide receiver — whose 814 receiving yards in his team’s first six games are the most by any NFL player in the Super Bowl era — had his best touchdown celebration yet.
And while the league can (and almost assuredly will) take away his money, it can never touch his social engagement — which on Sunday reached new heights.
After his latest long touchdown catch — a 41-yarder from Tua Tagovailoa late in the first half — Hill raced over to his social media manager, Kevin Fitzgibbons, who had recorded the whole play on his phone.
Hill grabbed Fitzgibbons’ device — which was still rolling — and did a celebratory backflip.
Still thinking about this all-time celly by #Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill ⚪️📲
Where does it rank among the best ever celebrations? pic.twitter.com/XrZNkcCZDT
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 16, 2023
The visuals were incredible … but also totally against a number of NFL rules.
Most notably, Hill used a prop in his celebration — a big no-no that cost the Dolphins 15 yards via an unsportsmanlike penalty Sunday and will almost certainly cost Hill a five-figure fine.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
Did Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill Plan His Cell Phone Flip Celly?
Even though it doesn’t currently appear on his public accounts, Fitzgibbons must have shared the video briefly, which was long enough for it to go viral.
But Hill insists it was a spontaneous decision — and not pre-planned.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
“It’s just one of those things that kind of happened,” Hill said. “I saw the camera, and I just took it from him, and he didn’t want me to take it from him. So I just called my shot.”
Hill later added: “I know the NFL is going to fine me, but it’s worth it, though, just being able to create memories I can look back on when I’m done playing is always something I think of each and every time I play this game. Every time I step on the field, I’m going to try to make it memorable.”
Hill literally puts his money where his mouth is. He revealed last week that he’s been fined “100K” this year. (The NFL says it’s less than that, but certainly the sum is substantial.)
At what point is the juice not worth the squeeze?
“I just feel like to me, I’m having so much fun. My life isn’t about money. I never really played this game for money. I play this game for passion. Even before I had the money, I feel like our great God; he used to wake me up each and every day and give me drive to go out and do what I love to do.
“That’s football. I could care less about money. I know the money is going to come, obviously, if I continue to play the way I’ve been playing. Coach [Mike McDaniel] is setting me up and stuff like that. It’ll come. You feel me? Not saying I don’t love money, but yeah, man, I’m just having fun, enjoying it.”
The Dolphins are paying Hill more money than any receiver has ever earned ($30 million AAV), and he’s been worth every penny.
Hill is averaging an absurd 135.7 receiving yards per game, a pace that would obliterate the NFL single-season record. If he averages 107.8 over the season’s final 11 games, he will meet his goal of becoming the league’s first 2,000-yard receiver.
Hill is almost certainly going to end up in the Hall of Fame. And, even by his own standards, he’s never been better.
MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023
“Obviously, the credit doesn’t only go to myself,” Hill said. “Like we have such a tremendous team, and it’s so well-rounded that it gets me open with the offensive creativity that Mike draws up each and every week, him and Frank [Smith], they do a great job, and also having the playmakers around also plays into that.
“Obviously, the offensive line is playing great ball up front, so that’s also a key, and then Tua. Like Tua, I just feel like the way he’s been playing over the past few weeks — well, ever since I’ve been here, he’s been lights out. All of that plays into me playing well. I know a lot of people will say, ‘Reek, it’s all because of you.’ It’s not, man. It’s really because I’m on a really good team.”