Miami — Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver for the Dolphins, announced on Thursday that he would reimburse the photographer whose game pass was revoked by the NFL for unpaid wages.
Photographer Kevin Fitzgibbons, who is paid by the NFL to cover Dolphins home games, claimed in a video released on social media on Tuesday that he was suspended by the league for the rest of the season “and possibly for good” because of his involvement in Hill’s touchdown celebration during a Week 6 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
Fitzgibbons claimed that after Hill scored, he took Fitzgibbons’ cellphone and recorded himself doing a backflip. Fitzgibbons said that the photographer was then seen jumping up and down with excitement before leaving the field to send the clip to the NFL.
Fitzgibbons claimed the NFL was not pleased with his response following the celebration, but Hill and Fitzgibbons insisted the incident was unplanned.
Fitzgibbons said in his video, “I was then informed by the NFL that I would be suspended for the rest of the season, and possibly for good.” “They said regardless [of] if I knew the celebration was coming or not, I still had to be disciplined and that I shouldn’t have jumped on the sidelines after the play.”
Hill was fined for using a prop during a celebration, but when questioned about it following the game, he put the blame elsewhere rather than on Fitzgibbons.
“It’s just one of those things that kind of happened,” Hill explained. He didn’t want me to take the camera from him, but I just grabbed it when I saw it. Thus, I simply made my shot.”
Fitzgibbons’ video went viral, receiving over 100,000 likes on Instagram and over 4.5 million views on TikTok.
About the suspension, Hill was questioned on Thursday. He said he was old friends with Fitzgibbons and would make up for any lost pay.
“Me and K-Fitz, we’ve got a long history together,” Hill stated. “I was aware of the news beforehand. Don’t let this get to you, I told him. Simply raise your head. You’re still quite young. Keep doing what you enjoy doing. We are going to keep working together, him and I.
“I assured him that I would pay his salary, regardless of what the NFL would pay him. I assured him that I would make sure to follow moral principles, look out for you, and ensure that you had a job. I like that guy.”
Fitzgibbons was suspended, but a league source made it clear that he is still employed by the NFL and is free to attend games in the future.
The league source told ESPN, “Kevin Fitzgibbons remains a contracted NFL employee, despite reports to the contrary.” “While his game access has been temporarily suspended due to multiple violations of NFL policy, he is welcome and encouraged to participate in any number of other projects involving off-field league events as well as personal projects with players.”
Fitzgibbons, a 20-year-old University of Miami student, has done private player videography and photography for players like Saquon Barkley and Hill. The NFL has had a contract with him since the 2022 campaign.
He thanked the NFL for the opportunity and concluded his video by stating that he accepted the league’s decision to suspend him.
