New video released by attorneys for former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis shows the exact moment he was detained and escorted off a United Airlines plane by federal agents.
“This video confirms the harrowing tale of multiple law enforcement agents, including the FBI, boarding the plane and apprehending a shocked, terrified, humiliated, and compliant Mr. Davis in front of his wife, Tamiko, minor children, and more than 100 passengers,” lawyer Peter Stinar told CBS News on Tuesday.
The clip, which appears to have been recorded by another passenger, shows a federal agent leaning over 51-year-old Davis and then slapping a pair of handcuffs on his wrists.
His wife, Tamiko, can meanwhile be seen standing across the aisle, speaking with another agent and trying to understand what is happening.
The couple previously opened up about the onboard experience during an appearance on “Good Morning America” earlier this month.
Davis and his family were on a United commercial flight from Denver to California on July 13 when the incident occurred. Tamiko was sitting with their 9-year-old daughter across the aisle from Davis and their sons, 11 and 13, at the time.
Davis said his son was trying to get the attention of a flight attendant so he could request a cup of ice, but the flight attendant was not responding. The former footballer, in turn, tapped the United staffer’s shoulder when they passed by in bid to help his boy.
The attendant then whipped around, and suddenly shouted, “Don’t hit me!” before heading in another direction.
Davis added he did not realize there was any issue until the plane touched down in Orange County, and he was approached by federal law enforcement officers.
“The agent walks up to me, and he leans over and whispers, ‘Don’t fight it’ — and puts the cuffs on me,” Davis said. “I felt powerless. I felt embarrassed. … I didn’t get a chance to explain what was happening. He didn’t tell me what was happening.”
Stinar said his office is filing a lawsuit on behalf of Davis and his family for false accusations and emotional distress.
United has since apologized for the incident.
“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 airline said in a statement via Pro Football Talk. “We have removed the flight attendant from duty while we closely review this matter.”