Free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill is trying to return to the field. He is, however, facing a bigger battle in court.
On Tuesday, Hill was found liable for two of 10 counts of battery in a civil lawsuit filed by his estranged wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro, in Miami. Vaccaro could still appeal the decision.
Still, Hill considered it a victory, as he was acquitted in the other allegations. ESPN's Xuan Thai described the 32-year-old pass-catcher as “relieved-looking.”
“Hill hugged one of his attorneys, Christi Bright, as the verdict was read. Hill smiled and shook his lawyers' hands as he left the courtroom,” reported Thai.
The jury awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages.
During the week-long hearing, Vaccaro claimed multiple incidents of physical abuse by Hill, presenting testimonies from family members, an audio recording from a nanny camera, and a call to 911. She said the physical abuse started in 2024 following their argument over their prenuptial agreement.
“Hill told jurors he was ‘deeply ashamed' for having threatened his wife's safety during one alleged incident by saying he was ‘able to get people to hurt her.' But he repeatedly denied allegations that he physically abused her,” added Thai.
Hill, a one-time champion and five-time All-Pro, filed for divorce in 2024. He, however, withdrew it shortly after.
He is still recovering from an ACL injury, which limited him to four games with the Miami Dolphins last season. The Dolphins released him in February.
Hill has been hinting on social media that he is ready to play, although no team has expressed interest in the eight-time Pro Bowler.