NFL Suspends Cameraman Whose Phone Tyreek Hill Used for Viral TD Celebration

Ahmad Austin Jr.Nov 29th, 2023, 1:12 pm
 

One of Tyreek Hill’s best touchdown celebrations this season may have cost one NFL cameraman a job.

In the Miami Dolphins’ Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Hill on a 41-yard touchdown. As Hill ran across the end zone, he spotted cameraman Kevin Fitzgibbons recording the play with his phone. Hill then grabbed the phone and recorded himself doing a standing backflip. From the broadcast, Fitzgibbons could be seen cheering as Hill did the flip in front of him.

According to Fitzgibbons, however, that moment ended up having disastrous consequences. The 20-year-old revealed Tuesday that the NFL revoked his credentials for the rest of the season. His future with the league is also in question.

In the video, Fitzgibbons explained how he got his start as a video editor. As he became popular as a content creator, he started to feature professional athletes in his videos. One of those athletes was Hill, and the two quickly became friends.

When the Dolphins acquired Hill, Fitzgibbons reached out to Hill to reconnect since he’s currently a student at the University of Miami. Then, Fitzgibbons was hired by the NFL to work Dolphins games as a photographer.

“I had one of the greatest years of my life,” Fitzgibbons said, “working side-by-side with one of my best friends, watching him take over the league on his new team.

“In Week 6 of the season, Tyreek scored a touchdown in the exact same corner of the end zone that I was filming in. He noticed me and surprised me by grabbing my phone and doing a backflip. It was the coolest moment ever. I ran in the tunnel to send the clip to the NFL.”

Shortly after, Fitzgibbons learned of his fate.

“The NFL then let me know that I would be suspended for remainder of the season and possibly for good,” he said. “They said regardless 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.

“One of the best moments of my life turned upside-down in a matter of seconds.”

Fitzgibbons reiterated that held nothing against the NFL and thanked them for the opportunity.

The video was met with a great deal of support. Even Hill took to Twitter to express his disappointment in the league’s decision.

“I would comment but I could get fined,” the receiver said.

Watch above via Twitter.

Tags: