Colts Issue Public Apology to Tyreek Hill After Deleting Controversial Video Mocking Him and Patrick Mahomes

The Indianapolis Colts have publicly apologized to Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill after a since-deleted schedule release video poked fun at both Hill and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The video, intended as a lighthearted way to unveil the team’s 2025 season matchups, quickly drew criticism for what some viewers saw as insensitivity, leading the team to remove it from their social media channels.

The Controversial Clip

In the video, the Colts announced their Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins by showing a cartoon dolphin wearing Tyreek Hill’s No. 10 jersey being stopped by a Coast Guard boat—a clear reference to Hill’s detainment by police officers last September as he headed to a Dolphins game. The 2024 incident had already ignited controversy, with Hill and other NFL players criticizing the police’s handling and raising concerns about race and celebrity treatment.

At the time, Hill voiced his frustration, saying,
“I do want to use this platform to say, what if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Worst case scenario. It’s crazy.”

Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, even called for the officers involved to be fired, according to ESPN.

Fan and Player Reactions

While some fans felt the Colts’ video crossed a line, Tyreek Hill himself took the joke in stride. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Hill wrote,
“Should’ve left it up @Colts, this was funny.”

His agent echoed the sentiment, telling ESPN that Hill “laughed about it” and wasn’t offended.

Colts Respond and Remove Video

Despite Hill’s reaction, the Colts decided to take the video down. In a statement to PEOPLE, a team spokesperson explained:
“We removed our schedule release video because it exceeded our rights with Microsoft and included an insensitive clip involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. We sincerely apologize to Microsoft and Tyreek.”

The team acknowledged that the video contained “insensitivities” regarding Hill’s situation and expressed regret for any offense caused.

A Lesson in Social Media and Sensitivity

The incident highlights the fine line NFL teams walk when using humor and pop culture references in digital content. Schedule release videos have become an annual tradition for franchises, often featuring creative and sometimes edgy jokes about rivals and league storylines. But as the Colts’ experience shows, even well-intentioned humor can backfire if it touches on sensitive personal or societal issues.

Moving Forward

With Tyreek Hill publicly brushing off the incident and the Colts issuing an apology, the situation appears resolved. Still, it serves as a reminder to teams and brands about the importance of sensitivity and awareness in their communications—especially when referencing real-life controversies.

As the NFL season approaches, both the Colts and Dolphins will look to put the episode behind them and focus on what matters most: football, competition, and respect—on and off the field.