Hall of Fame Running Back Terrell Davis Claims Racial Bias in United Airlines Incident

Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis expressed on Wednesday his belief that race played a significant role in his recent removal, in handcuffs, from a United Airlines flight after he requested a cup of ice.

Davis, a former Denver Broncos star and two-time Super Bowl champion, described the incident aboard a flight to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, on Saturday as traumatic and racially charged.

"I believe if I were not a Black man, I wouldn’t have been in handcuffs until they found out exactly what happened," Davis told NBC News.

The 51-year-old was on a United flight from Denver when his son asked for a cup of ice. A passing flight attendant didn’t respond to the request, prompting Davis to "lightly tap" the flight attendant’s arm to get his attention. According to Davis, the flight attendant responded by shouting, "Don’t hit me."

Despite the flight proceeding without further incident, once it landed, a half-dozen FBI agents and sheriff's deputies boarded the plane and removed Davis in handcuffs. United Airlines issued an apology and suspended the flight attendant involved while the incident is under review.

“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,” United stated.

Davis believes that if he were not Black, he still would have been questioned but likely not removed from the flight in handcuffs.

"Yeah, would they have come on to the plane and maybe...walk me off and detain me? Probably. I've seen that happen," Davis remarked. "But to put the cuffs on me and not give me my due process?"

Davis criticized United Airlines for not seeking his side of the story before involving authorities, which led to the chain of events ending with him being handcuffed. He expressed gratitude to a passenger seated in front of him who witnessed the encounter and confirmed that it was not a violent incident.

"What if my only witness was not on that plane? What if he did not see it. What if he had headphones on?" Davis questioned. "So now it's my word against the flight attendant. How do you think that ends?"

The FBI confirmed that agents responded to "an allegation of a violent assault aboard" the United flight.

"One individual was detained for questioning, was cooperative with law enforcement, and was released to continue his travels," the FBI stated.

Davis and the other passenger gave their side of the story to authorities, who determined "that this flight attendant was inaccurate in his accusations." The FBI agents "profusely apologized" upon releasing Davis.

Davis' wife, Tamiko Davis, emotionally addressed the impact of the incident on their three children, who witnessed their father being handcuffed and taken away.

"Unfortunately, because of the color of your beautiful skin, your experiences in this world are going to be different, and unfortunately at 13, 11 and 9 you've had an experience," she said, fighting back tears. "This is what we've been saying."

She added, "This unfortunately was a hard lesson for our family. It was a harsh reminder of the type of world that they live in."

Terrell Davis played seven seasons in the NFL, all with the Broncos. Despite a relatively short career, his impact on the team was profound. Before Davis, the Broncos were best known for their 0-4 record in Super Bowl appearances. His arrival in Denver marked a turning point for the franchise.

Davis led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1997 and 1998, with 15 and 21, respectively. In 1998, he rushed for a league-high 2,008 yards, propelling Denver to its second consecutive Super Bowl title. Davis, the MVP of the 1998 Super Bowl, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. His achievements solidified his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.

The incident with United Airlines has drawn significant attention, highlighting ongoing issues of racial bias and discrimination. As Davis and his family navigate the aftermath, they hope their experience will shed light on the broader issues of racial inequality and prompt meaningful change.

In a broader context, Davis's experience underscores the importance of addressing racial biases in various aspects of society, including the aviation industry. It also raises questions about the protocols and training of airline staff in handling such situations, as well as the role of law enforcement in responding to incidents involving allegations of violence or assault on flights.

Davis's case is not an isolated incident; similar stories have emerged where individuals of color have faced disproportionate responses in public settings. These instances often lead to discussions about systemic racism and the need for reform in how such cases are managed.

As the investigation into the incident continues, many are watching to see how United Airlines addresses the situation and whether there will be any changes in their policies or training programs to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Davis's willingness to speak out about his experience may also encourage others who have faced similar injustices to come forward, further amplifying the call for systemic change.

In conclusion, Terrell Davis's encounter with United Airlines serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of racial bias and the urgent need for societal and institutional reforms to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all individuals, regardless of their race.