Tyreek Hill’s Social Media Slip-Up with Ava Johnson: A Quiet Cleanup Amid Family Chaos

Former Chiefs superstar Tyreek Hill found himself in the crosshairs this week after liking several Instagram photos of 16-year-old volleyball sensation Ava Johnson, a rising star from California’s Sunshine Volleyball Club. The move ignited a firestorm online, and days later, Hill quietly backtracked—leaving fans and his growing list of exes shaking their heads.

Hill, 31, fresh off a 1,651-yard, 12-touchdown season in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, hit “like” on multiple posts showcasing Johnson, a 5’11 outside hitter born in 2009, celebrated for her powerful spikes. The likes didn’t slip by unnoticed—volleyball fans flooded the comments, slamming the NFL speedster with remarks like, “Idiot, she’s only 16—are you crazy?!” and “Stick to football, man!” The backlash was fierce, with X users pointing out the 15-year age gap and Hill’s already complicated personal life.

Initially, Hill stayed mum as the controversy brewed. But a few days later, the evidence vanished—he removed all likes from Johnson’s posts, a silent retreat that spoke volumes. This isn’t Hill’s first social media misstep; last year, he faced paternity suits from multiple women, including Kimberly Baker and Brittany Lackner, while juggling his marriage to Keeta Vaccaro, who gave birth to their daughter Capri in November 2024.

Ava Johnson, unfazed, kept her eyes on the court. The 16-year-old phenom, lauded for her poise and talent, hasn’t addressed the incident. Her fans, however, leapt to her defense, with one X post declaring, “Leave Ava alone—she’s a kid chasing her dreams, not Tyreek’s drama!”

Hill’s personal life adds fuel to the fire. With at least seven confirmed children—three with ex-fiancée Crystal Espinal, plus others with Baker, Lackner, and Vaccaro—his off-field narrative is a whirlwind. Espinal, who split from Hill in 2019, has stayed silent, while Vaccaro recently posted about their newborn on TikTok, seemingly unbothered. Baker, mother to Hill’s 2023-born daughter, once called him out publicly for dodging responsibility, per Daily Mail.

For Hill, this is a bump amid a stellar career. With a $30 million-a-year Dolphins deal, he’s a lock for another Pro Bowl. But as GM Chris Grier eyes roster moves, this saga—and his tangled family ties—might raise questions about his focus. Dolphins fans are split: “Tyreek’s a legend—let him live!” one tweeted, while another jabbed, “Bro needs to unlike teens and like his kids’ birthday cards instead.”

Hill’s quiet cleanup suggests he’s ready to move on—until the next post, or paternity claim, stirs the pot again.