LONDON – NFL star player Odell Beckham Jr has been removed from an American Airlines flight at Miami International Airport by police after flight crew became concerned about his health.
The incident occurred during the departure of flight 1228 on Sunday around 9.30am local time.
Members of the American Airlines flight crew had reportedly attempted to wake Beckham prior to the flight’s departure but “he appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness” according to an airline statement.
The airline went on to say that Flight 1228 returned to the gate before takeoff “due to a customer failing to follow crew member instructions and refusing to fasten their seat belt.”
Flight crew subsequently raised the alarm to 911.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, officers were called to the airport in response to a ‘medical emergency’ following flight crew concerns that Beckham was seriously ill.
“The flight crew was concerned for a passenger [Mr. Odell Beckham Jr], as they tried to wake him to fasten his seat belt, he appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness, prior to their departure,” a statement from the Miami-Dade Police Department read.
“Fearing that Mr. Beckham was seriously ill, and that his condition would worsen through the expected 5-hour flight, the attendants called for police and fire rescue. Upon the officers’ arrival, the flight crew asked Mr. Beckham several times to exit the aircraft, which he refused.”
Beckham reportedly initially refused requests to disembark the aircraft after officers arrived, but eventually complied with instructions and deplaned without incident.
Watch as NFL free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. was escorted from a plane on Sunday after failing to follow instructions from the flight crew. The Miami-Dade police department also said Beckham appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness.
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) November 28, 2022
He was not charged or detained. pic.twitter.com/4bhNMyKuem
Defending Beckham’s actions, the NFL player’s attorney Daniel Davillier dismissed the claims and stated that his client had simply been sleeping and the situation developed as a result of “an overzealous flight attendant.”
Mr Davillier went on to characterize the subsequent response as “completely unnecessary.”
Some passengers who have posted to social media present a different angle on the incident.
Forcing us off the plane because you were unresponsive and unruly is not comedy to the hundreds of folks trying to get home dude. Not cool man. pic.twitter.com/9w6Y2X0sE4
— CG (@TheMalibuArtist) November 27, 2022
Beckham subsequently took to social media to express his frustration with the incident.
Never in my life have I experienced what just happened to me… I’ve seen it alll..
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 27, 2022
The NFL wide receiver has not played this season following a torn ligament injury sustained at last year’s Super Bowl. The player currently has the interest of several teams including New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.
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