The civil assault trial involving Tyreek Hill officially got underway on Thursday, May 7, in Broward County, Florida, with attorneys offering sharply different explanations for how social media influencer Sophie Hall suffered a serious knee injury during a football workout session at Hill’s South Florida mansion.
According to the Miami Herald, Hall’s legal team claims the former Miami Dolphins receiver became aggressive during a backyard drill in June 2023 and caused an injury that left her needing surgery. Hill’s attorneys argue the injury happened accidentally when Hall tripped over his dog, a puppy named Chapo.
Opening statements painted two very different versions of events. Hall’s attorney, John Gdanski, told jurors the interaction escalated after Hall managed to push Hill backward during a football drill, drawing laughter from people watching nearby. According to the lawsuit, Hill’s demeanor changed afterward. Gdanski said Hill delivered what he described as a “warning shove” before later charging into Hall during another drill.
“She left the turf with broken bones,” Gdanski told the jury.
Hall, who has more than 2 million Instagram followers, testified that she initially connected with Hill after signing her son up for one of his football camps in 2023. Their communication allegedly evolved into a flirtatious relationship before Hill invited her to stay at his Southwest Ranches home for a weekend.
The lawsuit claims what started as casual football drills turned violent. Hall alleges she suffered a fractured tibial plateau that later required surgery and left screws in her knee. She is suing Hill for assault, battery, negligence, and emotional distress.
Hill’s attorney, Robert Horwitz, pushed back on that version of events, arguing Hall willingly participated in the drills and “assumed the risk.” He also questioned why she remained at Hill’s home after the injury and continued interacting with him socially afterward.
According to testimony, Hall texted Hill days later, blaming him for the injury, writing, “I think you were too strong pushing against me.” Hill responded, “Not a chance. I just moved too fast around you.”
The defense also pointed to conflicting witness accounts, including statements from Hill’s family members suggesting Hall may have tripped over Chapo while attempting to catch a football.
Separately, Hill remains locked in an ongoing divorce and custody dispute with his estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, who accused him in 2025 of multiple incidents of domestic violence during their 17-month marriage. Hill has denied those allegations through his attorneys.
