DENVER (KDVR) – Former NFL running back Terrell Davis said he was put in handcuffs with no explanation while aboard a United Airlines flight on Saturday.
Davis, a former Denver Broncos player and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recounted the events on his Instagram on Monday. He said he was on a flight from Denver to Orange County, California, with his wife, two sons and daughter.
During the flight, Davis said his son asked for a cup of ice and the attendant either “didn’t hear or ignored his request.” He claimed he tapped the attendant’s arm to get his attention, which is when the attendant shouted “Don’t hit me,” according to Davis’ Instagram post.
“I was confused, as were the passengers in front of me who witnessed the exchange,” Davis said on Instagram.
Davis said that during the flight, he didn’t see or interact with the attendant again.
When the plane landed, Davis said the pilot asked everyone to remain seated. Then, six FBI and law enforcement officers boarded the plane and put him in handcuffs without an explanation.
As he was taken off the plane, Davis said people were recording the interaction.
“I was – and remain – humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry,” said Davis.
After being questioned, Davis said the agents determined that the attendant was in the wrong and the agents apologized to Davis.
“The traumatizing experience of my two sons, daughter, and my wife watching me being placed in handcuffs – without due process or explanation – cannot be undone,” said Davis.
United Airlines said the flight attendant had been “removed” from duty.
“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,” the airline said in a statement to Nexstar’s KDVR. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”
As of Monday morning, Davis said he still hadn’t heard from United and that his lawyers would be in contact with the airline.
“At this very moment, not even 48 hours later, we as a family are having to have hard conversations with each other about what transpired and answers to many questions that my children have,” said Davis. “I refuse to stand by without speaking out on this disgusting display of injustice and deplorable treatment by United Airlines.”
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