Terrell Davis has been focused on his family since retiring from the NFL more than two decades ago. On a recent flight, however, him trying to help out his son resulted in him being detained when they arrived at their destination.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer recounted his flying experience on Instagram and retold the story in a July 17 appearance on CBS Mornings. He was aboard a United Airlines flight from Denver to Orange County and tried to get a flight attendant's attention during beverage service after his son "politely requested a cup of ice."
"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," he wrote on Instagram.
"He shouted 'Don't hit me' and left the cart to hurriedly approach the front of the plane," Davis' post continued. "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." The football star didn't see or hear from the flight attendant for the rest of the journey.
When they landed in Orange County, the flight was greeted by six FBI and law enforcement officers who promptly removed Davis from the aircraft.
"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 of the plane in handcuffs by the officers," he said.
"I was—and remain—humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry," he added.
He underwent questioning by authorities but "it was rightfully determined by the agents that this flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations."
"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," he concluded. "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."
In response to the incident, United Airlines issued a statement apologizing for what transpired and confirming they're investigating the events.
"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, per NBC Sports. "We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter."
