Chiefs’ Hill contrite, repentant in first public comments

Tyreek Hill ST. JOSEPH, MO. — was contrite but repentant in his first comments since he was banished from the Kansas City Chiefs following an audio recording in which his then-fiancee accused him of hurting their son.

The star wide receiver declined Sunday to discuss the specifics of his case, which wound to a conclusion late last week when the NFL declined to punish him for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. But he did apologize for the precarious situation he left the Chiefs in this past offseason.

“I’ve learned to just appreciate those around me,” Hill said after the Chiefs’ second workout of training camp at Missouri Western. “I feel like I take that for granted sometimes, being a professional athlete. I tend to not stay humble, you know what I’m saying? I still love my kids and I still love my family, but I feel like sometimes I take all of those things for granted.”

The Chiefs were poised to make their first selection in the NFL draft when the graphic, secretly taped audio of Hill and Crystal Espinal aired on a local TV station. The Chiefs quickly suspended the twotime All-Pro from all team-related activities and, uncertain of Hill’s future with the organization, used a second-round pick on speedy wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

Hill remained barred from the team during voluntary summer workouts and the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp, even after the local district attorney decided there was not enough evidence to pursue charges.

The NFL ultimately decided late last week that it would not punish Hill, and the Chiefs immediately announced that his team-issued suspension was lifted and he would be reporting to training camp.

There is still an ongoing investigation by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and Hill said he could not discuss that case. Nor would he discuss the specifics of a recent sitdown that he had with Clark Hunt, the Chiefs’ chairman and the most visible face of the ownership family.

“It was good having him back out there,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said Sunday. “He is an intelligent kid. He picked up right where he left off. “He’s doing a heck of a job.”

Ravens: Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Robert Griffin III will be sidelined for “at least a few weeks” after fracturing his right thumb during the team’s third practice of training camp.

The injury occurred Saturday night when Griffin hit his hand on a defender’s helmet during a workout at M&T Bank Stadium. It was the team’s first practice of the summer in full pads.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t announce the extent of the injury until Sunday, saying, “Robert fractured a bone in his right hand and will miss practice for at least a few weeks.”

After Saturday’s practice, Griffin said, “I’ve got a little issue with my thumb. Hit it on the helmet of one of the D-linemen coming through the line.”

Griffin foreshadowed the news later Saturday night on Twitter, saying, “Everything you have been through will make you stronger.”

Griffin ended a one-year hiatus from the NFL last season, signing a one-year contract with the Ravens to serve in a reserve role. He played in three games, going 2 for 6 for 21 yards.

Patriots: Michael Bennett took long-distance travel to a new level Sunday.

The veteran defensive lineman disembarked a red-eye flight from Hawaii to Boston on Sunday morning and quickly made his way to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to participate in his first full-pads training camp practice with the New England Patriots.

Bennett said that taking a break was not an option.

“You want to prove to your teammates that you love the game,” said Bennett, 33, a veteran of 10 seasons with Tampa Bay, Seattle and Philadelphia.

“I grew up in the game. This game’s been part of my life for more than 20 years, so every time I step on the field and I’ve got teammates that believe in me, I just want to go out and show them that in every single moment, I’m going to go as hard as I can.”

Bennett has 63 sacks, including nine last year in his only season with the Eagles. In March, he was traded by Philadelphia along with a 2020 seventh-round draft pick to the Patriots for a fifth-round selection.