DENVER — Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis posted on Instagram on Monday that he was handcuffed and questioned by FBI agents Saturday after a United Airlines flight attendant accused Davis of hitting him.
The Denver Broncos Ring of Famer said he is demanding a thorough and proper investigation. He said the experience was "traumatizing" and that it left him "humiliated, embarrassed, powerless, and angry."
"I am still in shock over the traumatizing events," he said.
United Airlines issued an apology and took the flight attendant off the schedule.
No charges were filed, and in a statement, the FBI described Davis as “cooperative” and said he was “released to continue his travels.”
Davis – the Broncos’ all-time leading rusher and Super Bowl XXXII most valuable player – took to social media Monday to defend himself, saying Saturday’s incident unfolded after he touched the flight attendant’s arm to get his attention. Davis was flying with his wife and three children from Denver to Orange County, California, and simply wanted to ask the flight attendant for some ice for his son.
Davis said that when he "lightly tapped" the flight attendant's arm to ask for the cup of ice, the flight attendant "shouted 'don't hit me,'" left their cart and went to the front of the aircraft. Davis said he was confused by the exchange and that he did not interact with the attendant for the rest of the flight.
When the plane landed in California, the plane's captain got on the intercom and told all of the passengers to remain seated. Davis said six FBI and law enforcement agents entered the plane and put him in handcuffs. Davis said he was escorted off the plane while other passengers recorded on their phones.
After being taken off the flight, Davis said he was questioned and the agents determined that the "flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations." He said the law enforcement agents apologized to him and offered support to Davis and his family.
Davis said Monday that he still had yet to get a response from United.
A member of United’s media relations staff issued the following statement: “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. We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”
Davis' attorney, Parker Stinar, said in a statement to NBC that what happened on the flight was "appalling and disturbing to say the least" and that they plan to investigate what happened.
"Mr. Davis' statement speaks for itself, and we can all agree no person should be subjected to this kind of injustice and humiliation, especially in front of their children and wife," Stinar said.
