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Denver Broncos Hall of Famer Terrell Davis ‘in shock’ after being handcuffed on United Airlines flight

Denver Broncos Hall of Famer Terrell Davis ‘in shock’ after being handcuffed on United Airlines flight

FBI agents arrested Denver Broncos Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis over the weekend after an incident that occurred on a commercial flight. The flight was a United Airlines flight from Denver to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation's 15th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show
Terrell Davis speaks at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 15th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show at the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel on November 18, 2023.

Tom Cooper/Getty Images for Global Down Syndrome Foundation


Davis explained the situation on social media after he was released, saying he was “stunned” by what had happened. He says he tried to get a flight attendant to help with a request from a family member sitting next to him, and the flight attendant acted in what he called a “rude” manner when Davis tapped him on the arm to get his attention.

The FBI office in Los Angeles did not name Davis in a statement it released about the action it took. It said its agents and several local police officers in Orange County “responded to a report of an incident that occurred aboard a flight that required further investigation.” It said the person in custody “was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels.”

Davis says he is “in shock from the traumatic events.” He says he was traveling with his wife, his two sons and his daughter.

“During beverage service, my son politely asked for a cup of ice. The flight attendant either didn’t hear his request or ignored it and continued walking down our row. I quietly reached behind me and gently tapped his arm to get his attention and ask again for a cup of ice for my son,” Davis wrote in the social media post.

Davis says that immediately after the man tapped the flight attendant on the arm, he yelled, “Don’t hit me,” and walked to another part of the plane. Davis says the flight attendant was “unbelievably rude and downright wrong in his accusations that I hit him” and that he had no further contact with the flight attendant for the rest of the flight.

Before passengers were allowed to leave the plane, Davis said the captain asked everyone to remain seated. Officers then boarded, handcuffed Davis and escorted him off the plane, without having to give a reason.

Shortly after the airport interrogation began, Davis says the FBI told him they agreed with Davis that the flight attendant had made a false accusation. He says they apologized to him and then released him.

He says he feels “humiliated, ashamed, powerless and angry.”

“I refuse to sit still and speak out about this disgusting display of injustice and reprehensible treatment by United Airlines,” Davis said.

Davis said his legal team is contacting the United Airlines company.

“I demand a thorough and proper investigation into the flight attendant who blatantly lied and caused unnecessary harm to me and my family,” he said.

Following the publication of this article, United Media Relations provided the following response to CBS Colorado’s inquiry:

This is clearly not the type of travel experience we strive for and we have reached out to Mr. Davis’ team to apologize. We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we investigate this matter thoroughly.

Davis signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in the mid-1990s and retired seven seasons later due to injuries. He is in the Broncos Ring of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his professional career, he was named NFL MVP once and Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXII. In 1998, he had a 2,000-yard rushing season, something few running backs have accomplished.