Tyreek Hill will not face charges, but could face NFL penalty

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill will not be charged with a crime in connection to a police investigation, but could face NFL discipline.

On Wednesday, the Johnson County (Kan.) District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges against Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hill, 25, was the subject of an investigation into alleged juvenile battery against his 3-year-old son. Johnson County DA Stephen Howe spoke to local media in a press conference and stated that while he believes a crime occurred, law enforcement doesn’t have enough evidence to press changes against Hill or his fiance — and the mother of the child — Crystal Espinal. Howe says the child in question is safe, but wouldn’t elaborate.

Howe also said that the District Attorney’s office also had no contact with the Chiefs throughout the case, and that Hill’s standing as a star player for the team didn’t impact the case in any way.

While Hill is clear of legal trouble in this case, he might still feel the wrath of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell has suspended players before who didn’t face charges for alleged crimes. In 2017, the commissioner suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

Under the aforementioned policy, a player can be suspended for six games if he violates it for a first time. Whether the league decided to pursue Hill for a suspension remains to be seen, but there is precedent for such action.

Hill is entering his fourth season in the league after being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Kansas City’s regular season begins on Sept. 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.