NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis said he was handcuffed and removed from a California-bound flight on Saturday after a flight attendant accosted him.
“I am still in shock over the shocking events that occurred on board a United Airlines flight from Denver to Orange County on Saturday with my wife, two sons and daughter,” said Davis, a former Denver Broncos running back. He said on social media.
Davis, who played for the Broncos from 1995-2001 and helped them win two Super Bowl titles, said the incident happened after his son asked for ice when ordering drinks during a trip.
“The flight attendant either didn’t hear or ignored his request and walked past our row,” Davis said. “I calmly reached back and tapped him on the arm, reminding him to ask for more ice for my son. His response and what happened next will amaze us all.”
“He yelled, ‘Don’t hit me,’ got off the cart and quickly approached the front of the aircraft. I was confused, as was the passenger in front of me who witnessed the interaction,” Davis continued. “I only thought the employee was incredibly rude and that the accusation that I had hit him was patently false. I never saw or interacted with him during the flight.”
Davis said that after the plane landed, six agents from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies boarded the plane, handcuffed him and removed him from the plane in front of his family.
“I felt, and still feel, humiliated, ashamed, helpless and angry,” he said. “During questioning, the investigators correctly determined that the flight attendant’s accusations were inaccurate, and they apologized deeply and offered to assist me and my family in any way they could.”
The FBI did not name Davis in a statement but confirmed that agents from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana and local police officers responded to reports of an incident on the flight. One person was detained for questioning but was cooperative and “released to continue their trip,” the FBI said.
In a statement to NBC News, United Airlines said: “This is clearly not the travel experience we strive to provide. We have reached out to Ms. Davis’ team to apologize, and we have removed the flight attendant from duty while we review the matter.”
Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He rushed for 7,607 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career and was named NFL MVP in 1998.
