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Former NFL MVP quarterback Cam Newton has added his voice to the ongoing debate surrounding Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill's recent traffic stop incident with Miami-Dade Police.
During a recent episode of his podcast 4th And 1, Newton didn't shy away from expressing his thoughts on the situation, specifically calling out Hill's actions during the stop.
Cam Newton to Tyreek Hill: Just keep the windows down
Footage from the incident, which took place before the Dolphins' Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, shows Hill being pulled over, detained, and later placed in handcuffs after police ordered him out of his car.
The release of the bodycam footage has stirred widespread discussion among NFL fans and the media, with opinions divided over Hill's conduct and the actions of the officers involved.
Newton focused on one particular moment in the footage: Hill rolling his car windows back up after initially lowering them to speak with the officer.
According to Newton, this decision only escalated the situation.
"You don't get no type of privilege, bro. When you roll the window down and you roll the window back up, bro, don't do that. You can't do that,"Newton said on his podcast.
"It puts you in danger, and you have to put yourself in the officer's position. He don't know what's in that damn car."
Newton claims incident could have been avoided
While the former Carolina Panthers star didn't absolve the police officer involved, he made it clear that Hill's actions played a role in how the situation unfolded.
Newton emphasized that Hill could have prevented things from escalating by cooperating more fully.
"This could've been avoided... The reason why the officers are frustrated is because you rolled your window up,"Newton explained.
"He (the officer) was excessive. I'm not taking the officer's side. I'm just saying how this situation could have played out different. There's ability on both sides."
Newton's comments reflect a balanced view, acknowledging that while the officer's actions may have been excessive, Hill also bore some responsibility for how the situation escalated.
Newton went on to say that the incident is a familiar one for many African-Americans, but noted that it's receiving more attention because of Hill's high-profile status.
"If you're a regular person, you're resisting arrest. It's almost like a flag. When it's thrown, it's already thrown. When [the police] say get out the damn car, it's over with," Newton added, speaking on the reality many face in similar encounters with law enforcement.
Tyreek Hill received two traffic citations as a result of the stop.
In the days following the incident, Hill has called for the officer involved to be fired, and the officer has since been placed on istrative duties.
With reactions to the footage still pouring in, Newton's take provides a fresh perspective on the ongoing debate, which shows no sign of fading anytime soon.