United Airlines has removed a flight attendant from duty and apologized to former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis after he was handcuffed following his flight from Denver to Orange County on Saturday.
“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. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”
Davis wrote on his Instagram page on Monday that he lightly tapped the arm of a flight attendant 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.
After the flight, members of the FBI and local police handcuffed Davis and removed him from the plane and questioned him. In a statement given to KCNC-TV, the Los Angeles FBI office confirmed that they “responded to a report about an incident that had occurred aboard a flight which required further investigation.” The FBI did not mention Davis by name, but they said the person questioned “was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels.”
Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, the lawyers representing Davis, were not satisfied with United’s statement.
“Your response – a quick, non-personal apology and ‘removing from duty’ of the flight attendant – does not right this wrong,” the lawyers said in a letter to the airline, via CBS Colorado. The letter also said that Davis is considering litigation against United Airlines.
Davis’ full statement about the incident can be seen below, transcribed from social media.
Terrell Davis statement after United Airlines incident
“I am still in shock over the traumatizing events that occurred Saturday aboard a United flight from Denver to Orange County with my wife, two sons, and daughter,” Davis wrote on Instagram.
“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. I calmy 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.
“He shouted ‘don’t hit me’ and left the cart to hurriedly approach the front of the plane. 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.
“As we landed in Orange County, the pilot asked all passengers to remain seated, six FBI and law enforcement agents boarded the plane.
“The FBI agents and local authorities proceeded directly to my seat and immediately placed me in handcuffs, while seated and without any explanation, in front of my wife and children while the entire flight of passengers watched in silence. I was then removed from the flight while being recorded by multiple passengers as I was paraded off the plane in handcuffs by the officers.
“I was – and remain — humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry.
“During questioning, it was rightfully determined by the agents that 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. I have yet to hear anything from 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.
“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 answer the many questions that my children have.
“I refuse to stand by without speaking out on this disgusting display of injustice and deplorable treatment by United Airlines.
“My legal team at Stinar, Gould, Grieco & Hensley will be in contact with United Airlines.
“I demand a thorough and proper investigation into the flight attendant who blatantly lied and placed undue harm on me and my family.
“These lies and the ensuing events have the capacity to tarnish the reputation I have spent decades building, and this person should not be able to do this again to anyone in the future. – Terrell Davis”
Davis, 51, played for the Broncos from 1995-2002. A league MVP and Super Bowl MVP, Davis was one of just eight players to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
