In the aftermath of Miami’s embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Colts, chatter quickly started regarding potential trade interest in receiver Tyreek Hill — if the first game is a sign of things to come in South Florida. We’ve heard that both the Chiefs and Steelers have some degree of interest in Hill.
Then came word that Hill’s estranged wife has accused him of eight incidents of domestic violence, through documents filed in connection with their pending divorce case. With the league opening an investigation, Hill now faces a potential suspension.
That hasn’t diminished the talk of a potential trade, at least as it relates to the Steelers. The concern is whether they’ll be sending a draft pick (something in the range of a third-round pick) to the Dolphins for a guy who is eventually sidelined for six or more weeks.
The key question is whether Hill’s estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, will cooperate with the NFL’s efforts to gather information about the alleged violence. Although the NFL uses a much lower standard of proof than the criminal justice system, it’s hard to imagine the league finding sufficient evidence based only on statements in court paperwork. It will, or at least it should, want to hear directly from the alleged victim.
It’s the biggest flaw in the league’s effort to create its own procedure for litigating allegations of off-field wrongdoing. It can’t force anyone not employed by the league or one of its teams to talk. If the person alleging violence that isn’t corroborated by objective evidence (video, for example) won’t help the league gather the facts, the investigation goes nowhere.
When Hill spoke to reporters on Friday (the team, interestingly, has not posted a transcript in its media portal), he mentioned that his current focus is “just playing ball, and spending time with my kids and just doing what I’m best at: providing for my family.” It’s hard not to interpret the last part as a not-so-subtle message to his estranged wife.
If he’s suspended, it impacts his ability to provide for his family. Which reduces the amount of money that Hill will have available to satisfy any financial obligations relative to child support and/or alimony.
That’s another major flaw in the NFL’s effort to create its own court system. When the alleged victim is the player’s spouse, she experiences an indirect financial impact if the player is suspended. Which becomes a natural disincentive to cooperate with the league.
The trade deadline arrives in 52 days. If, by then, a team like the Steelers or Chiefs become satisfied that the Personal Conduct Policy investigation is going nowhere, they could decide to make a trade for Hill.
Obviously, there would still be a potential P.R. issue involved with acquiring Hill, given the pending allegations. That’s for the team to assess, as part of the broader question of whether to pursue a trade. But whether Hill is or isn’t available for the balance of the season boils down to a critical threshold question: Will his estranged wife willingly talk to the league’s investigators?
