KANSAS CITY, Mo. The latest significant step forward in the Tyreek Hill mess is here, and it may be the last before the NFL decides on a possible punishment so its worth taking some inventory.
Two months ago, KCTV-5 released selected clips of an 11-minute recording. On Tuesday, the full audio played on 610 AM. As with virtually every twist in the story so far, nobody wins.
The recording was made in secret by Crystal Espinal, Hills fiancee. She is the mother of his three children the twins were born recently and the woman Hill pleaded guilty to punching and choking in 2014.
No part of this story has ever or will ever leave you feeling good. When discussing anything from this tape, at least a few things are worth remembering.
Hill didnt know it was being recorded. She was presumably trying to capture an audio version of a smoking gun.
The Chiefs and NFL have heard this audio and more, as well as extensive evidence that includes thousands of text messages.
The clip provides context that KCTV5 inexplicably left out, but its still just 11 minutes of their lives together.
OK, now lets talk more specifically about what 610 played three times Tuesday.
The children are the most important part of this, and also the ones harmed the most. At one point in the recording, Hill said he wished he never had kids with Espinal. He tells Espinal she can have the child, and the twins who hadnt yet been born. Now that clip will live forever online. Hill was audibly frustrated, but at some point those kids will hear those words.
There is enough ugliness on record already. This is only one part. But, still. Hearing those words will be an awful and confusing moment for the kids.
Hills status with the Chiefs is the most newsworthy part of this, and there is little on the tape that we hadnt heard already that would seem to warrant a long suspension.
Hill is adamant that he didnt hit Espinal in 2014 but doesnt have a good answer when she asks, Then where did all those bruises come from?
The recording is uncomfortable, complicated, and this is important to remember only part of the story.
At various points, Hill tells Espinal you ruined my life and you lied on me in 2014, and that his life is supposed to be a whole lot easier right now. He admits being hard on their son, but I would never hurt my son in life.
For her part, Espinal repeatedly tells Hill their son is scared of him. When she says Hill punches him in the chest, Hill doesnt directly dispute the claim.
