NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis Detained on Plane After Altercation

Terrell Davis, the former Denver Broncos running back, was escorted off a plane in handcuffs after an altercation with a flight attendant. Davis claims he lightly tapped the attendant on the arm to get his attention, while the attendant alleges that Davis hit him.

Terrell Davis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who starred for the Denver Broncos from 1995-2001, was escorted off a United Airlines plane in handcuffs this past weekend after an altercation with a flight attendant.

Davis, who was traveling with his wife and children, wrote a lengthy Instagram post on Monday explaining what happened on the flight from Denver to Orange County.

NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis Detained on Plane After Altercation

According to Davis, the incident started when his son asked a flight attendant for a cup of ice during beverage service. The attendant allegedly didn't hear or chose to ignore the request, prompting Davis to "lightly tap" the attendant on the arm to get his attention.

"He shouted 'don't hit me' and left the cart to hurriedly approach the front of the plane," Davis wrote. "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."

NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis Detained on Plane After Altercation

When the flight landed, the pilot asked all passengers to remain seated as federal agents boarded the aircraft. Davis was then handcuffed and walked off, as he says he was "humiliated" during the incident.

"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," Davis wrote. "I was then removed from the flight while being recorded by multiple passengers as I was paraded off the plane in handcuffs by the officers."

NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis Detained on Plane After Altercation

Davis added that the agents believed him when he explained his side of the story, saying they "profusely apologized."

"I was – and remain – humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry," Davis wrote. "During questioning, it was rightfully determined by the agents that this flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations and the agents profusely apologized even offering to support me and my family in any way possible."

Davis also noted that his legal team is pursuing action in this matter, while they have not heard from United Airlines.

Davis had a short career compared to other NFL Hall of Famers due to injuries, but he was extremely productive for Denver as a sixth-round pick out of Georgia in 1995.

A three-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Davis was a workhorse in the backfield for the Broncos in his first four seasons in the league, totaling 6,413 yards — including a league-leading 2,008 yards in 1998 — and 56 rushing touchdowns over that span.

Davis won the 1998 NFL MVP Award and AP Offensive Player of the Year with his 2,000-plus rushing season that also saw 21 touchdowns on the ground and two through the air.

Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 in his 11th year of eligibility.

The incident with Davis has sparked outrage among many, who believe that he was treated unfairly. Davis has said that he is considering legal action against United Airlines and the flight attendant involved.