Story update: United Airlines provided the following statement to Broncos Wire: “Mr. Davis received this letter the day after the incident. It was generated due to the report of the flight attendant – who is no longer employed by United. The day after the letter was sent, we discussed with Mr. Davis’ team that it had been rescinded. We have apologized to Mr. Davis for his experience and continue to review our handling of incidents like this to protect our highest priority – the safety of our customers and crew.” See our original post below.
United Airlines has banned former NFL running back Terrell Davis from flying with them while they review an incident from July 13. It seems to be the company’s standard procedure for such a review, but Davis is understandably upset.
“Adding insult to injury, @united not only had me removed from their flight in handcuffs, but placed me on their No Fly List after it was determined I did nothing wrong and was released,” Davis wrote on his Instagram page on Tuesday with a photo showing a letter from United.
“While my family and I continue to have difficult conversations with our children, I will continue to fight for what is right for all passengers of @united.”
Davis was removed from a flight in handcuffs earlier this month. The two-time Super Bowl champion said he lightly tapped the arm of a flight attendant during a flight to ask for a cup of ice for his son. The flight attendant then said “don’t hit me” and went to the front of the plane, according to Davis. When the flight landed in Orange County, members of the FBI and local police handcuffed Davis and removed him for questioning.
United Airlines has faced backlash for the incident and they apologized to Davis and removed the flight attendant from duty while they “closely review this matter.” That response was not satisfactory to Davis or his lawyers, who have said they plan to sue the airline.
Now facing a travel ban, Davis continues to publicly criticize the airline.
“They’ve somewhat admitted to wrongdoing but have done nothing to right this wrong,” Davis wrote in an image posted on his Instagram page. “Really, @United? That’s why we will continue to use our platform for the voiceless who have made it clear that United has a history of this type of behavior, and I will work to see the powerful held accountable for his mistreatment.”
Davis, 51, played for the Denver Broncos from 1995-2002. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 with a league MVP and Super Bowl MVP on his resume.
