Former NFL star Terrell Davis, a Hall of Fame running back who played for the Denver Broncos, recently found himself at the center of a controversial incident aboard a United Airlines flight. The event, which occurred on July 13, 2024, has sparked widespread discussion about passenger treatment and airline protocols.
Davis was traveling with his family from Denver to Santa Ana, California, when an interaction with a flight attendant escalated into a distressing situation.
According to Davis’s account, the incident began during the in-flight beverage service when his son requested a cup of ice. When the flight attendant appeared to overlook or not hear the request, Davis attempted to get the attendant’s attention by lightly tapping his arm.
This seemingly innocuous action led to an unexpected response from the flight attendant, who allegedly exclaimed, “Don’t hit me,” and promptly left the area. Davis and other passengers were reportedly bewildered by this reaction, as they perceived no aggressive behavior from the former NFL player.
The situation took a more serious turn upon landing at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Davis recounted that six FBI agents and law enforcement officers boarded the plane and approached him. In a humiliating turn of events, Davis was handcuffed in front of his wife and children, as well as other passengers, some of whom recorded the incident.
After questioning, it was determined that the flight attendant’s accusations were unfounded. The authorities apologized to Davis, but the damage had already been done. Davis expressed his feelings about the incident on social media and in subsequent interviews, stating he was “humiliated, embarrassed, powerless and angry” about the experience.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Davis further elaborated on the incident, expressing his shock and disbelief at how quickly the situation escalated. He also mentioned that another passenger had turned to him during the flight to confirm that they had witnessed the interaction and did not see Davis hit the flight attendant.
United Airlines has responded to the incident by temporarily removing the flight attendant from duty pending a thorough investigation. The airline issued a statement saying, “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.”
Davis’s attorney, Parker Stinar, has called for a prompt inquiry into the flight attendant’s actions. The incident has raised questions about airline protocols, passenger rights, and the potential for misunderstandings to escalate into serious situations.
The former NFL star emphasized that the experience has forced him to have difficult conversations with his family. He is demanding a thorough investigation by the airline, citing the harm caused to him and his family by the incident.
The Internet Verdict:
- One user commented, “Nothing like pissing off one of the most beloved Denver Bronco players, when you have a hub in Denver.” This highlights the potential PR nightmare for United Airlines.
- Another user expressed sympathy for Davis’s family, stating, “His poor kid 🙁 Can’t imagine how traumatic that was for him and his family. Degrading and so embarrassingly unjustified”.
- Some users called for severe consequences for the flight attendant. One wrote, “If the incident occurred as described, I hope Davis wins his case and the FA is fired”.
- A former flight attendant provided perspective, saying, “I’m a former flight attendant (female though) and honestly a tap on the shoulder is extremely polite compared to what a lot of passengers do”.
- Some users highlighted the importance of Davis’s celebrity status in bringing attention to the issue. One commented, “It’s good that we have rich and famous people that can fight back and scare the pants off United’s legal team, but it’s sad that for normal people this experience probably would have been buried and gone nowhere in a best case, and the passenger banned for life in the worst case”.
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