Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis shared a terrible experience he had on United Airlines last weekend.
In a lengthy Instagram post (shared on Monday), Davis revealed that he was handcuffed and led off the fight after it landed because of an encounter he had with a flight attendant.
Davis was flying to Orange County, California from Denver with his wife, two sons and daughter when the incident occurred.
“During the beverage service, my son politely requested a cup of ice. The flight attendant either didn’t hear or ignored his request and continued past our row,” Davis wrote. “I calmly reached behind me and lightly tapped his arm to get his attention to again ask for a cup of ice for my son. His response and the events that followed should stun all of us.”
Davis said the flight attendant responded “don’t hit me” before rushing away. The former Broncos star said he and passengers around him were confused by the response but didn’t think anything of it until the flight landed.
That’s when Davis said the pilot instructed all passengers to remain seated, and six FBI and law enforcement agents boarded the plane. Davis said the FBI agents and local authorities proceeded to handcuff him and remove him from the plane in front of the other passengers.
“I was — and remain — humiliated, embarrassed, powerless and angry,” Davis said.
After the agents questioned Davis, they determined the flight attendant was “inaccurate in his accusations” and “profusely apologized” before offering to support the 51-year-old former athlete and his family in any way they could.
“I have yet to hear anything from United Airlines,” Davis added. “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.
After Davis shared the incident in detail, United Airlines released a statement apologizing to the Hall of Fame running back.
“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 said in a statement, via KTLA. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”
Davis wrote that he’s “still in shock” from the incident. He noted that their actions “cannot be undone” and said he’s had to have “hard conversations” with his family.
He demanded an investigation into the flight attendant who “blatantly lied” and said his legal team will contact United.
“I refuse to stand by without speaking out on this disgusting display of injustice and deplorable treatment by United Airlines,” Davis wrote.
