Lions’ Star Amon-Ra St. Brown Praises Tyreek Hill’s Bravery Amid Gruesome Injury: “Cheetah’s Smile Through Pain Is Legendary” – Blasts Malachi Moore’s “Dirty Tackle” Sparking NFL Fury

In a heart-wrenching moment that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, Miami Dolphins superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a catastrophic leg injury during Monday Night Football’s clash against the New York Jets on September 29, 2025. What began as a routine 10-yard reception in the third quarter turned into a nightmare when Jets safety Malachi Moore delivered a controversial tackle that twisted Hill’s left leg in an unnatural direction. As medical staff rushed the field and carted the 31-year-old “Cheetah” off in a wheelchair, the league held its breath. But amid the chaos, Detroit Lions standout Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as a voice of inspiration, lauding Hill’s unbreakable spirit while unleashing pointed criticism at Moore’s hit, igniting debates on player safety and “dirty” play in the NFL.

The injury occurred with 13:21 left in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Dolphins held a 10-3 lead. Hill, fresh off a stellar first half with six catches for 67 yards, hauled in a short pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and darted toward the sideline to evade further contact. That’s when Moore struck from behind, wrapping up Hill’s legs in a tackle that critics are calling reckless at best and malicious at worst. Replays showed Hill’s knee buckling awkwardly, his tibia and fibula potentially fracturing in a gruesome display that drew comparisons to some of the most horrific injuries in recent NFL history, like Alex Smith’s 2018 compound fracture.

As trainers cut away Hill’s shoe and immobilized the limb with an air cast, the stadium fell silent. Hill’s mother sprinted onto the field to console her son, planting a kiss on his forehead in a poignant display of familial support. Remarkably, even as pain contorted his face, Hill mustered a weak smile and waved to the roaring crowd—gestures that would soon become the stuff of legend. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, which the Dolphins ultimately won 27-10, but the victory felt hollow without their speed demon.

Enter Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Detroit Lions’ two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and one of the league’s most respected young stars. Just minutes after the cart rolled off the field, St. Brown took to X (formerly Twitter) and his post-game podcast appearance on “The Gridiron Files,” delivering an emotional tribute that transcended divisional rivalries. “Seeing Tyreek on that cart, leg bent like it shouldn’t be—man, my heart dropped,” St. Brown said, his voice cracking with empathy. “But then I saw him smile through the pain, waving like he was just taking a breather. That’s not just bravery; that’s the soul of what makes NFL legends. Cheetah’s got that fire—reminds me why I grind every day. Prayers up, brother. The league needs you back terrorizing defenses.”

St. Brown’s words resonated deeply, especially given his own brushes with adversity. The 25-year-old Lions receiver underwent knee surgery in June 2025 but vowed a full recovery in time for training camp, crediting Hill as a “spiritual big bro” in the WR fraternity. Their shared USC roots and similar explosive playing styles have long fostered mutual respect; St. Brown even shouted out Hill during his 2024 contract extension presser, calling him “the blueprint for speed and heart.” In a league where wideouts often compete fiercely for targets and accolades, St. Brown’s immediate outreach—liking Hill’s pre-game hype posts and sharing a custom graphic of the two in action—highlighted the brotherhood beneath the helmets.

But St. Brown’s message didn’t stop at praise; it pivoted sharply to condemnation, zeroing in on Malachi Moore’s role in the carnage. The Jets’ second-year safety, a 2024 fourth-round pick out of Alabama, has been a hard-hitting presence in New York’s secondary. Yet, his tackle on Hill—holding onto the receiver’s legs post-downfall—has drawn widespread ire for crossing the line from aggressive to endangering. “Look, I get it—football’s physical, and Moore’s out there earning his stripes,” St. Brown continued on the podcast. “But that wasn’t a tackle; that was a hold-and-twist that could’ve ended a career. Dirty hits like that have no place in this game. NFL, step up—protect your stars before we lose another one to unnecessary risks.”

The backlash against Moore has been swift and ferocious, amplifying St. Brown’s call to action. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport labeled the play “far worse than a standard dislocated knee,” warning of multiple ligament tears and potential vascular damage. On X, #SuspendMoore trended nationwide, with over 50,000 posts in the first 24 hours. Fans and analysts alike dissected the footage: Moore’s grip lingered a beat too long, exacerbating the twist as Hill hit the turf. “This isn’t football; it’s assault with pads,” tweeted former Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie, echoing sentiments from Dolphins legend Jason Taylor, who posted, “Protect the game we love—review this NOW.”

Jets head coach Robert Saleh defended his player post-game, calling it “a clean wrap-up gone wrong,” but even he acknowledged the optics were “brutal.” Moore, visibly shaken in the locker room, issued a brief statement: “My thoughts are with Tyreek—accidents happen in this league. I never meant to hurt him.” Yet, the NFL’s Player Safety Committee is reportedly fast-tracking a review, with precedents like the 2024 suspension of Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson for a similar “late hit” on Texans WR Tank Dell looming large. Critics argue Moore’s inexperience—coupled with the Jets’ aggressive defensive scheme under new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich—fostered a culture of overzealous play that’s now costing careers.

For the Dolphins, the injury’s ripple effects are immediate and devastating. Hill, in the first year of a restructured three-year, $75 million deal, was on pace for another 1,800-yard season, his speed stretching defenses and unlocking Tua’s arm. Without him, Miami’s offense—already thin after Jaylen Waddle’s minor hamstring tweak—must lean on unproven depth like River Cracraft and rookie Tahj Washington. Early reports from Baptist Health South Florida suggest a tibia-fibula fracture with ACL involvement, sidelining Hill for at least 6-8 months and thrusting the Fins into a wildcard scramble.

St. Brown’s intervention has elevated the discourse beyond mere sympathy, framing Hill’s ordeal as a clarion call for reform. “Tyreek’s smile? That’s the warrior code,” he told podcast host Ryan Clark. “But Moore’s tackle? That’s the wake-up we need. If we don’t clean this up, what’s left of the beautiful game?” As the NFL navigates Week 5’s slate, with Lions facing the Vikings on Sunday, St. Brown’s star continues to rise—not just as a route-runner extraordinaire (he’s topped 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons), but as a vocal advocate. His 2025 extension talks with Detroit could even hinge on such leadership, per insiders.

In the end, Hill’s injury isn’t just a Dolphins tragedy; it’s an NFL inflection point. Will the league heed St. Brown’s message, tightening rules on post-whistle contact to safeguard its human dynamos? Or will “dirty” play persist, dimming the Cheetah’s flame? As Hill begins rehab—already posting defiant gym selfies from his hospital bed—the answer hangs in the balance. One thing’s certain: with allies like Amon-Ra St. Brown in his corner, Tyreek Hill’s comeback will be as electric as his sprints.