NFL Star Terrell Davis Says He Was Handcuffed on United Flight After He ‘Lightly Tapped’ Flight Attendant

NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis is speaking out after he was allegedly handcuffed and escorted off a United Airlines plane by law enforcement.

The former Denver Broncos running back was traveling from Denver to Santa Ana, Calif. with his wife and three children when the incident occurred on Saturday, July 13, after a flight attendant claimed Davis hit him.  

In a statement shared with PEOPLE by Davis’ lawyers at Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley — which Davis also shared on social media on Monday, July 15 — the NFL star says he is “still in shock” and explained the details of the incident.

“During the beverage service, my son politely requested a cup of ice. The flight attendant either didn't hear or ignored his request and continued past our row,” Davis explains in the statement. “I calmly reached behind me and lightly tapped his arm to get his attention to again ask for a cup of ice for my son. His response and the events that followed should stun all of us.” 

Davis claims the flight attendant then shouted, “Don’t hit me” and left the beverage cart “to hurriedly approach the front of the plane.” He recalls both himself and fellow passengers being “confused” after witnessing the flight attendant’s reaction. 

“I thought nothing of it other than this particular employee was incredibly rude and blatantly wrong in his accusations of me hitting him. I did not see or interact with him further for the duration of the flight,” he continues. 

The retired football player further explains that after the plane landed at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, passengers were asked to stay seated as “six FBI and law enforcement agents boarded the plane.” 

“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,” his statement continued. 

He adds that he was then removed from the flight to be questioned by the authorities while passengers recorded him in handcuffs. 

“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 adds.

A spokesperson for the FBI confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that “FBI Agents and law enforcement partners at Orange County's John Wayne Airport responded to a report regarding an incident that had occurred aboard a flight which required further investigation.”

While they would not confirm specific names or details, the spokesperson added, “One individual was detained for questioning, was cooperative with law enforcement and was released to continue his travels.”

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In the aftermath of the incident, Davis says he remains “humiliated, embarrassed, powerless and angry” and that it was a “traumatizing experience” for his wife, two sons and daughter to watch him be put in handcuffs. 

A spokesperson for United Airlines confirms to PEOPLE that the flight attendant who accused Davis of hitting him has been removed from service. 

“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,” the statement reads. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”