"Tapped My Arm for Ice Water"… NFL Star Handcuffed in a Shocking Incident

Handcuffed in Front of Young Children
Claims of Unilateral Assault by Flight Attendant Leave 'Scars'

Terrell Davis, a two-time Super Bowl champion and NFL Hall of Famer, was reported to have been falsely accused on a flight to California.

Legendary football player Terrell Davis.
[Image source=Getty Images]

On the 19th, the British BBC reported that on the 13th, Terrell Davis was falsely accused on a United Airlines flight from Denver to Orange County, California. At the time, he was traveling with his wife, two sons, and daughter. During the flight, his son requested a glass of ice water. Davis said, "The flight attendant either did not hear or ignored my son's request. I calmly reached out and gently tapped the flight attendant's arm to get his attention and asked him to bring ice water to my son again." However, the flight attendant reportedly shouted, "Don't hit me." Another passenger who witnessed the situation explained on Davis's behalf, saying, "He did not hit you."

For the remainder of the flight, Davis did not interact with the flight attendant, but after the plane landed in Orange County, the FBI arrived and handcuffed Davis. Davis told CNN, "They did not ask me any questions," and "I was not even given a chance to explain what happened."

Davis stated, "During the interrogation, the agents determined that the flight attendant's claim was inaccurate and deeply apologized." While investigating the incident, United Airlines suspended the flight attendant involved. United Airlines also apologized to Davis's side, stating that the incident was "not the travel experience we strive to provide." However, Davis said he is still waiting for a direct apology from United Airlines, as they have only contacted his legal representative.

Davis pointed out that this was an act of racial discrimination, emphasizing, "I am confident this would not have happened if I were white." It is reported that Davis's side is considering legal action.

Meanwhile, Terrell Davis is one of the legendary football players who played as a running back for the NFL's Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001. His record of 8 postseason touchdowns in a single season, achieved in 1997, is still unbroken. He also won the Super Bowl twice, in 1998 and 1999, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.