The Indianapolis Colts have issued a public apology to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Microsoft after releasing—and subsequently deleting—a 2025 schedule release video that drew criticism for its content and unauthorized use of intellectual property.
The video, styled after the popular video game Minecraft, depicted a dolphin wearing Hill’s No. 10 jersey being intercepted by a Coast Guard boat. This scene alluded to a real-life incident in September 2024, where Hill was forcibly removed from his vehicle and handcuffed by Miami-Dade police en route to a game. The charges from that incident were later dropped.
In a statement to ESPN, the Colts acknowledged the misstep:
“We removed our schedule release video because it exceeded our rights with Microsoft and included an insensitive clip involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. We sincerely apologize to Microsoft and Tyreek.”
Despite the controversy, Hill appeared to take the video in stride. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, conveyed that Hill found the video humorous and did not believe it needed to be taken down on his account.
The Colts’ use of Minecraft imagery without proper authorization from Microsoft added another layer to the issue. While the Los Angeles Chargers also employed a Minecraft theme in their schedule release, they included a disclaimer indicating they had secured the necessary permissions.
In response to the backlash, the Colts replaced the original video with a more lighthearted version featuring whimsical artwork to showcase their 2025 matchups.
This incident underscores the importance for organizations to exercise sensitivity and ensure proper licensing when creating promotional content, especially when referencing real-life events involving individuals.
