The NFL will not suspend Tyreek Hill, it said Friday, because a league investigation cannot definitively find that he violated its player conduct policy.
The Kansas City Chief star, a Coffee County, Ga. native, was suspended by his team in April after an audio recording emerged of his ex-fiancée accusing him of abusing their son. They were reportedly arguing about the 3-year-old’s broken arm.
He was being investigated in Johnson County, Mo. after the audio was broadcast by a local news station.
In 2015, Hill pleaded guilty in a domestic violence case in which he was charged with hitting and choking the mother of his son, Crystal Espinal, who was pregnant with the child at the time.
On Friday, the NFL said that its investigation was limited by what evidence local authorities could share with the league.
“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,” the NFL said. “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,” the statement added.
According to the NFL, the child is currently safe and his care is being directed and monitored by Johnson County government agencies.
On Twitter, Hill called the allegation false and he respects and accepts the NFL's decision.
"I will continue to strive to be the best father, the bets friend, the best role model, and the best mentor that I can be," he wrote.
In a statement of their own, the Chiefs said “we have decided it is appropriate” for Hill to return to the team at the start of training camp.
“The club fully supports the conditions for return laid out by the league and will continue to monitor any new developments in the case,” the Chief said. “We are glad to welcome Tyreek back to the team and look forward to the start of training camp next week.”
The league said Hill “has been and will continue to be subject to conditions set forth by the District Court, Commissioner (Roger) Goodell, and the Chiefs, which include clinical evaluation and therapeutic intervention.”
Hill was one of the best receivers in the NFL in 2018, earning a first team All-Pro nod from the Associated Press.
