After a rollercoaster of an offseason in which his very ability to play professional football anymore was questioned, Tyreek Hill is now free of any suspension.
Tyreek Hill can finally breathe easy. The powers-that-be in the National Football League have decided against suspending the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver for any length of time—even a single game.
The league was expected to announce a decision by the time training camp was set to begin for the Chiefs, which comes early next week. Now Hill and the rest of the team’s roster knows what they are working with in full without having the cloud hang over the franchise as they report back for an attempt at another Super Bowl.
Here’s the complete release from the NFL:
"Over the past four months, we have conducted a comprehensive investigation of allegations regarding Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Throughout this investigation, the NFL’s primary concern has been the well-being of the child. Our understanding is that the child is safe and that the child’s ongoing care is being directed and monitored by the Johnson County District Court and the Johnson County Department for Children and Families.In conducting our investigation, we have taken great care to ensure that we do not interfere with the county’s proceedings or compromise the privacy or welfare of the child in any way. The information developed in the court proceeding is confidential and has not been shared with us, and the court has sealed all law enforcement records. Local law enforcement authorities have publicly advised that the available evidence does not permit them to determine who caused the child’s injuries.Similarly, based on the evidence presently available, the NFL cannot conclude that Mr. Hill violated the Personal Conduct Policy. Accordingly, he may attend Kansas City’s training camp and participate in all club activities. He has been and will continue to be subject to conditions set forth by the District Court, Commissioner Goodell, and the Chiefs, which include clinical evaluation and therapeutic intervention.If further information becomes available through law enforcement, the pending court proceeding, or other sources, we will promptly consider it and take all appropriate steps at that time. "
For Hill, this offseason has been one to forget. The drama surrounding multiple investigations for child neglect and child abuse into his home, centered around his three-year-old son, brought Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, into an offseason-long saga of reports about their ability to parent, their relational health, and Hill’s character as a player. TMZ reports were filed. Personal recordings were altered and played for the general public. One local media figure even lost his job in the wreckage of it all.
Because of the drama, rumors persisted that Hill would have to serve a suspension of some length. In fact, at first, it was a question of whether or not Hill would be removed from the NFL entirely. The Chiefs suspended him from any team activities in late April. From there, as his side of the story began to trickle in, the length of any potential suspension went from being an outcast to out for a single season to a half season to a few games and then to potentially none at all.
With Hill able to fully participate in training camp, the Chiefs should be able to enter the regular season with an even better offense than what they had last season. Mecole Hardman is being brought into the fold as another deep threat, and Demarcus Robinson is tasked with stepping up into Chris Conley’s old role. Damien Williams heads up a loaded backfield competition, and Travis Kelce should be healthy in plenty of time for Week 1. Most importantly, Patrick Mahomes will be able to lean upon a full season of starting experience.
Hill has been to three Pro Bowls in his first three seasons in the NFL since he was first taken by the team in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Whether as an electric returner or a top-tier wideout, Hill has done everything asked of him by the team. In response, he even set the franchise record last season for most yards by a wide receiver in a single season with 1,479. Hill led the NFL in yards/touch with 15.0 and added 14 total touchdowns for the Chiefs in 2018.
While the family court investigation remains in place for both Hill and Espinal, the wideout can at least relax when it comes to his professional career. The NFL heard the evidence, weighed the stories and decided that he was free from any punishment. Here’s hoping the personal side follows suit and the children involved in this story are given every bit of care needed.