Terrell Davis ‘in shock’ after he was handcuffed on United flight

DENVER — Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis posted on Instagram on Monday that he was handcuffed and questioned by FBI agents after a flight on Saturday.

Davis 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.

The Denver Broncos Ring of Famer said he, his wife, his two sons and daughter were traveling from Denver to Orange County, California on a United Airlines flight.

Davis said that during beverage service on the flight, his son asked a flight attendant for a cup of ice. The attendant either didn’t hear the request or ignored Davis’ son’s request, continuing past the family’s row, Davis wrote.

Davis said he reached back and “lightly tapped” the flight attendant’s arm to ask for the cup of ice. Davis said the flight attendant “shouted ‘don’t hit me,'” left the cart and went to the front of the aircraft.

Davis said on Instagram that he was confused by the exchange and that he did not interact with the attendant 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 then 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.

The FBI confirmed to NBC that agents and law enforcement responded to John Wayne Airport in Orange County on a report of an incident on a flight but did not name Davis as being involved: “One individual was detained for questioning, was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels.”

Davis said Monday that he still had yet to get a response from United.

In a statement to 9NEWS, United said:

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.