Colts delete schedule release video after Tyreek Hill joke sparks backlash from fans and NFL community

The NFL schedule release has transformed from a basic announcement into a full-fledged social media spectacle, with teams racing to create the most buzzworthy video. But in 2025, the Indianapolis Colts may have taken their attempt a step too far—and faced immediate blowback.On Wednesday night, as fans around the league celebrated another round of creative content—from the Los Angeles Chargers’ clever Minecraft parody to the Jaguars' viral Ashton Hall cameo—the Colts’ video briefly joined the frenzy. That is, until it vanished just under two hours after it was posted.The reason for the sudden deletion? A segment involving Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, which many found distasteful.In their Minecraft-themed schedule release, the Colts poked fun at each of their 2025 opponents. But controversy erupted over their portrayal of the Dolphins, their Week 1 rival. In that segment, a Coast Guard vessel—rendered in pixelated Minecraft form—chased down a dolphin labeled “Hill” wearing a No. 10 jersey. The scene was brief, lasting only six seconds, but its implications quickly ignited criticism.The moment appeared to reference an incident ahead of the Dolphins' 2024 season opener, when Hill was detained by police outside Hard Rock Stadium. While he was never arrested, Hill was cited for speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and careless driving. Body cam footage, which later surfaced, showed officers pulling Hill to the ground and placing him in handcuffs.Although the dolphin in the Colts’ video wasn’t "arrested" either, the imagery evoked that real-life encounter in a way that many found inappropriate. Some felt the team crossed a line by making light of a serious situation.The Dolphins addressed the original incident with a strong statement that read:“It is both maddening and heartbreaking to watch the very people we trust to protect our community use such unnecessary force and hostility towards these players, yet it is also a reminder that not every situation like this ends in peace, as we are grateful this one did... ‘What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill?’ is a question that will carry with resounding impact.”The Colts, for their part, have not commented on their decision to pull the video, but the backlash was clearly enough to prompt swift action.The video, which ran 2 minutes and 40 seconds in total, included other jabs—Patrick Mahomes was depicted as a frog, while a satirical reenactment of the Starbucks spat between NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Jordan Schultz was included. Still, none seemed to strike quite the same nerve as the Hill moment.With the spotlight now on them for the wrong reasons, the Colts are left hoping that their on-field performance—starting with that very Week 1 clash against the Dolphins on September 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium—will shift the narrative.Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, with the game airing regionally on CBS. But for now, Indianapolis’ season has begun not with hype, but with controversy.Also Read: "The Taylor Swift effect": Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 schedule fuels Swiftie buzz with must-watch primetime clashes early in the season