Tyreek Hill’s Kids the Difficulties Associated with His Fatherhood

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is the proud father of four children, but his parenting journey has been complicated and includes Child Services investigations.

NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s brilliant career was overshadowed in 2019 by an investigation resulting in his youngest son’s removal from custody.

Tyreek Hill is the father of four children, Zev, Nakeem, Nyla, and Tyreek Jr. — three of whom he shares with former fiancée Crystal Espinal.

Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins at the Baptist Health Training Complex in 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Source: Getty Images

Athletes become heroes to their fans, especially the younger ones, who imagine themselves achieving the same success and glory. But sometimes, the heroes are all too human.

Tyreek Hill was involved in several incidents of domestic violence, the first of which was against his then-girlfriend Crystal Espinal, who was pregnant with their son, Zev, in December 2014.

Hill went through a domestic violence prevention program, and it seemed that the family had settled down peacefully when there was a second accusation of domestic violence in 2019 involving the couple’s three-year-old son.

Tyreek Hill with his son, Zev, in 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. | Source: Getty Images

Tyreek Hill Wanted to Be a Better Father to His Son

After the 2014 incident, Hill worked hard to rehabilitate his image with his fans, and part of that was to promote his image as a devoted dad. He said in 2016:

“I’m real dedicated. I’m going to stick to it so I can be a better man, a better citizen for the community and a better father for my son.”

But just three years later, a new scandal involving domestic violence erupted around the wide receiver, and this time, the alleged victim was his son.

In an interview after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Superbowl in 2020 — after Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s iconic halftime performance — Hill was accompanied by his son, who hugged his dad and was wearing his gear.

For fans watching the interview, it was hard to believe Hill had been accused of harming the boy just a year earlier and that the child had been removed from his custody and Espinal’s.

In what some saw as damage control, a tape of the former couple speaking was leaked. In the audio tape, Hill denied the 2014 and 2019 incidents and accused Espinal of hurting their child. He said on the tape:

“Did I pick you up and slam you? [Expletive] no, I picked you up and put you out my door and after that, you left. And, on my son you did that, bro. And then you get in the courtroom, you want to sit up there and cry on the stand.”

Tyreek Hill’s Son Was Removed from His Parents’ Custody

Following the alleged domestic abuse and child neglect accusations, the little boy was removed from his parents’ custody pending an investigation by the Kansas Department of Children and Families.

Despite his difficulties, Tyreek Hill continues to show exemplary commitment to the sport.

The KDCF did not release any details about the charges or the investigation, but the court heard Hill and Espinal in April 2019.

Hill reiterated his dedication to his family and declared that his son’s health and well-being are his first priority. Shortly after, Hill asked the court for joint custody of Zev.

Espinal was initially granted custody of Zev in 2018 when she was living in Arizona, but the player accused her of curtailing his visits to the boy.

Crystal Espinal Reported That Tyreek Hill Is Also the Father of Her Twins

The two appear to have reconciled sometime later, and Espinal gave birth to twins, Nakeem and Nyla, born in 2019. Espinal demanded a paternity test to prove Hill is the twins’ father.

Hill and Espinal disputed joint custody over the three children, and the player would later reveal that his kids were the most important thing in his life, and he had tattoos to honor them.

Hill has a fourth child, Tyreek Jr. On May 15, 2020, sports columnist for The Kansas City Star Sam McDowell shared a still on Twitter of Hill with a toddler he identifies as Tyreek Hill Jr.

Tyreek Hill Helps Children

Hill has created the Tyreek Hill Family Foundation, through which the athlete strives to give back to the community, especially the children.

The foundation provides scholarships to deserving students and reaches out to younger children through community programs emphasizing wellness through sports.

Despite his difficulties, Tyreek Hill continues to show exemplary commitment to the sport and strives to become a role model to the younger generation.