Former NFL running back Terrell Davis was involved in an incident on a United Airlines flight over the weekend, resulting in his removal from the aircraft in handcuffs.
Davis, who played in the NFL for seven seasons with the Broncos, took to social media to give a statement about the unjust treatment he received. He was involved in an incident with a flight attendant that resulted in FBI agents coming aboard the plane and escorting Davis off.
"I felt demoralized," Davis said on ABC's "Good Morning America." "I felt embarrassed, humiliated. I felt like my dignity was stripped from me right in front of my children and my family. And I want United to be held accountable for this."
The running back was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 and is Denver's all-time leading rusher. A member of the exclusive 2,000-yard club, the two-time Super Bowl champion still holds the record for most postseason single-season touchdowns (8), which he accomplished in 1997.
Here is more to know about Davis and the incident involving United Airlines.
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Terrell Davis United Airlines incident, explained
Davis took to Instagram to give his account of the incident aboard a United Airlines flight going from Denver to Orange County. He was traveling with his wife, his two sons, and his daughter.
"During the beverage service, my son politely requested a cup of ice," Davis said in the statement. "The flight attendant either didn't hear or ignored his request and continued past our row. 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 us all.
"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 and his accusations of me hitting him."
Davis went on to explain that six FBI agents came on board the plane once it landed in Orange County, where they placed the former football player in handcuffs and removed him from the aircraft. He said he was "humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry" from the ordeal.
After he was questioned by the FBI agents, it was determined that the flight attendant was "inaccurate in his accusations" and the agents "profusely apologized" for the incident.
The FBI's Los Angeles office did not specifically identify Davis by name in their statement. The organization said its agents "responded to a report about an incident that had occurred aboard a flight which required further investigation." The FBI said the person who was detained "was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels."
Davis concluded by calling the experience "traumatizing" for his family.
"I refuse to stand by without speaking out on this disgusting display of injustice and deplorable treatment by United Airlines," Davis' statement read. "... I demand a thorough and proper investigation into the flight attendant who blatantly lied and placed undue harm on me and my family."
United Airlines released a statement on Tuesday, stating that the airlines have since reached out to Davis. The flight attendant has been removed from duty while a review of the incident is opened.
"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 in a statement to CBS. "We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter."
On July 30, United Airlines told CNN that the flight attendant is "no longer employed" and Davis' no-fly ban has been lifted.
