In a surprising turn of events, Kevin Fitzgibbons, the cameraman involved in Tyreek Hill’s celebratory use of his camera during a Week 6 game between the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers, has been suspended by the NFL for the remainder of the 2023 season and potentially indefinitely, according to The New York Post.
Hill’s touchdown celebration, where he took Fitzgibbons’ phone and incorporated it as a prop, gained widespread attention, going viral on social media. Fitzgibbons, in a video posted on social media, expressed his shock at the suspension and shared the NFL’s reasoning behind it.
“The NFL then let me know that I was suspended for the remainder of the season and possibly for good,” said Fitzgibbons in the video. “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. I get why the NFL had to make this decision and wish I could’ve done something to prevent it, but I’m thankful for the memory Tyreek gave me.”
Fitzgibbons acknowledged the unique opportunity he had as a cameraman and expressed gratitude for the experience. He also shared a personal connection with Hill, mentioning that they had met previously, and their bond strengthened after Hill’s trade to the Dolphins in 2022.
Interestingly, despite the attention and subsequent suspension of the cameraman, Tyreek Hill himself did not receive a fine for the celebratory act. In response to Fitzgibbons’ post, Hill refrained from commenting, citing the potential for a fine.
Fitzgibbons recounted the memorable touchdown celebration, mentioning that Hill scored in the same corner of the endzone where he was filming. The star wide receiver surprised him by grabbing his phone and executing a backflip, creating a moment that Fitzgibbons deemed “the coolest ever.”
As Fitzgibbons faces the repercussions of the suspension, he remains grateful for the opportunity and expressed hope for another chance to pursue what he loves, whether within the NFL or in a new sporting endeavor.
