Former NFL running back Terrell Davis recently experienced a distressing incident that led to him being handcuffed and escorted off a United Airlines flight. The episode occurred after a seemingly innocuous interaction with a flight attendant.
Last week, the 51-year-old former Denver Broncos star recounted how a simple request from his son for a cup of ice escalated into a situation where he was removed from a flight traveling from Denver to Orange County.
This week, TMZ Sports released footage showing Davis being escorted off the plane, which has since gone viral.
The video clip captures puzzled passengers questioning why Davis was being removed. His wife, Tamiko Nash, is seen standing and interacting with the agents before Davis is handcuffed and led off the plane for questioning.
Davis, who played for the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001, took to Instagram on Monday to explain the incident in detail. According to Davis, it all began when his son asked a flight attendant for a cup of ice during beverage service. The flight attendant did not hear the request, so Davis “lightly tapped” the attendant on the arm to get his attention.
This action unexpectedly led to a severe reaction. “He shouted, ‘Don’t hit me!’ and left the cart to hurriedly approach the front of the plane,” Davis wrote. “I was confused, as were the passengers in front of me who witnessed the exchange. I thought nothing of it other than this particular employee was incredibly rude and blatantly wrong in his accusations of me hitting him. I did not see or interact with him further for the duration of the flight.”
When the flight landed, the pilot requested that all passengers remain seated as federal agents boarded to escort Davis off the plane. Following the release of the video, Davis’ attorney, Parker Stinar, made a statement emphasizing the traumatic nature of the incident.
“This video confirms the harrowing tale of multiple law enforcement agents, including the FBI, boarding the plane and apprehending a shocked, terrified, humiliated, and compliant Mr. Davis in front of his wife, Tamiko, minor children, and more than one hundred passengers,” Stinar said. “The rationale behind the United Airlines employee’s deceitful or inaccurate report extends far beyond a mere ice request or innocent tap on the shoulder.”
Terrell Davis is now considering legal action in response to the incident. His attorney, Parker Stinar, indicated to CBS that a lawsuit might be forthcoming. “They need to be held accountable,” Stinar said. “We would love to see policy change. We think that’s very important, beginning with a sincere, true apology.”
Davis, an NFL Hall of Famer, was the league MVP in 1998 and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXII. The incident has sparked significant media attention and discussions about the protocols and training of airline staff in handling such situations. Davis’s experience underscores the need for better communication and understanding between airline employees and passengers to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
