Colts delete schedule release video after backlash for Tyreek Hill joke

The Indianapolis Colts deleted their NFL schedule release video on Wednesday. This occurred following backlash received after appearing to depict Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill being arrested by the Coast Guard during the team’s segment covering the Week 1 matchup.

The Colts were referencing when Hill was detained in handcuffs outside of Hard Rock Stadium before a Dolphins game during the 2024 NFL season. The franchise has not commented on the matter since deleting the post.

Indianapolis went with a Minecraft-themed video for their annual release. The very first clip saw Hill, depicted as a literal dolphin, swimming about until the Coast Guard appeared.

The clip lasted six seconds before cutting to the following week’s opponent. The whole video lasted 2 minutes and 40 seconds, which featured other instances of personal jabs like the fight between two NFL insiders at the NFL Combine, Michael Penix Jr. stealing Kirk Cousins‘ job, and the Seahawks trading away all of Sam Darnold‘s weapons. No other jab appears to be as vicious as the one they sent toward Hill.

The incident which they’re referring to came before the Miami Dolphins season opener last season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There, Hill was cited by Miami-Dade police for speeding at a “visual estimation of 60 mph.” Hill was also cited for not wearing a seat belt and careless driving. The release of the citation came following body cam footage of Hill’s detainment was revealed to the public. In the footage, multiple officers can be seen taking Hill down to the ground before he is placed in handcuffs.

While Hill was detained, he was eventually released and caught seven passes for 130 yards and one touchdown in the Dolphins’ 20-17 victory over Jacksonville.

The following evening, the Dolphins released a statement regarding the incident. It reads as follows:

“It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did,” the statement reads. “‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ is a question that will carry with resounding impact.”

The Indianapolis Colts will host the Miami Dolphins during Week 1 on Sept. 7 inside Lucas Oil Stadium with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. ET. The game will be aired live regionally on CBS.