Current:Home > reviewsJohnathan Walker:Hall of Fame RB Terrell Davis says he was placed in handcuffs on United Airlines flight -WealthRoots Academy
Johnathan Walker:Hall of Fame RB Terrell Davis says he was placed in handcuffs on United Airlines flight
Ethermac Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 13:00:17
Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis said he is Johnathan Walker"still in shock over the traumatizing events" on board a flight to California where he said he was placed in handcuffs.
The two-time Super Bowl champion said in an Instagram post that during a United Airlines flight with his wife and three children from Denver to Orange County on Saturday, his son asked for a cup of ice during the beverage service. The flight attendant didn't respond to the request, so Davis said he "calmly reached behind me and lightly tapped his arm." The flight attendant allegedly shouted "don't hit me" and left the beverage cart to go to the front of the plane. Davis said he and other passengers were confused.
"I thought nothing of it other than this particular employee was incredibly rude and blatantly wrong in his accusations of me hitting him," he said. "I did not see or interact with him further for the duration of the flight."
The former NFL MVP said when the flight landed, the pilot asked all passengers to remain seated. Then six FBI and law enforcement agents boarded the plane and placed him in handcuffs.
"I was then removed from the flight while being recorded by multiple passengers as I was paraded off of the plane in handcuffs by the officers," Davis said. "I was − and remain − humiliated, embarrassed, powerless and angry."
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Officials confirm Terrell Davis incident
Davis said he was taken by authorities for questioning, and alleged afterward "it was rightfully determined by the agents this flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations and the agents profusely apologized even offering to support me and my family in any way possible."
Spokespersons for the FBI and John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, where the flight landed, confirmed the incident to USA TODAY Sports.
"FBI agents and law enforcement partners at Orange County's John Wayne Airport responded to a report regarding an incident that had occurred aboard a flight which required further investigation. One individual was detained for questioning, was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels," both spokespersons said in a statement.
Davis added he hasn't heard anything from United Airlines but he refuses to be silent about "this disgusting display of injustice and deplorable treatment by United Airlines."
"The traumatizing experience of my two sons, my daughter, and my wife watching me being placed in handcuffs − without due process or any explanation − cannot be undone," Davis said.
United Airlines apologizes for incident
United Airlines apologized for the incident in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. The flight attendant involved in the matter has been removed from duty as it reviews the incident.
"This is clearly not the kind of travel experience we strive to provide, and we have reached out to Mr. Davis’s team to apologize," United Airlines said.
His legal team at Stinar, Gould, Grieco & Hensley will be in contact with United Airlines, he added, demanding an investigation into the flight attendant. Parker Stinar of the law firm said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that the legal team plans to investigate the incident and are contacting United Airlines about it.
"Mr. Davis' statement speaks for itself, and we can all agree no person should be subjected to this kind of injustice and humiliation, especially in front of their children and wife," Stinar said.
Davis played seven seasons for the Denver Broncos from 1995-2001. He was a star in Denver, winning the NFL MVP in 1998 and NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1996 and 1998. He was part of the Super Bowl 32 and 33 winning teams, and he was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl 32. He's the all-time leading rusher in Broncos franchise history and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
veryGood! (5141)
Related
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Billy Ray Cyrus and Fiancée Firerose Make Red Carpet Debut at 2023 ACM Honors
- Skincare is dewy diet culture; plus, how to have the Fat Talk
- Man accused of beating goose to death with golf club at New York golf course, officials say
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Toddler remains found at Georgia garbage station could close missing child case
- The downed Russian jet carried Wagner’s hierarchy, from Prigozhin’s No. 2 to his bodyguards
- San Antonio shooter wounds 2 officers during car pursuit, police say
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Zimbabwe’s election extends to a second day after long ballot delays. Some slept at polling stations
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Hopeful signs of an economic ‘soft landing’ emerge in Jackson Hole as Fed meets with world watching
- Is olive oil healthy? Everything you need to know about the benefits.
- Terry Dubrow Reveals Romantic Birthday Plans With Wife Heather After Life-Threatening Blood Clot Scare
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Skipping GOP debate, Trump speaks with Tucker Carlson
- Frozen corn recall: Kroger, Food Lion, Signature Select vegetables recalled for listeria risk
- Colorado father killed after confronting alleged scooter thieves in yard
Recommendation
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
North West Recreates Kanye West’s Classic Polo Look During Tokyo Trip With Mom Kim Kardashian
'Well I'll be:' Michigan woman shocked to find gator outside home with mouth bound shut
Flooding fills tunnels leading to Detroit airport, forces water rescues in Ohio and Las Vegas
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Swimmable cities a climate solution? Amid scorching heat, cities rethink access to waterways
New York Police: Sergeant suspended after throwing object at fleeing motorcyclist who crashed, died
AP Week in Pictures: Global | Aug 18 - Aug. 24, 2023