Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is scheduled to make visits with several teams this week, was escorted from a plane destined for Los Angeles on Sunday morning.
The Miami-Dade Police Department were dispatched to what they called a “medical emergency” on American Airlines Flight 1228 from Miami to LAX.
American Airlines released a statement saying that a passenger had failed to follow crew member instructions and refused to fasten their seatbelt. Miami-Dade Police also released a statement saying the passenger appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness.
MDPD identified that passenger as Odell Beckham.
From Miami-Dade Police on Odell Beckham Jr. being removed from a flight this morning: pic.twitter.com/ieD40w4wkv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2022
Video of Beckham’s departure was captured by another passenger, who expressed frustration with the NFL superstar.
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 had sent several curious tweets early on Sunday, which coincided with the timing of 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
Never. In. My . Life
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 27, 2022
I COULD NEVER MAKE THIS UP.
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 27, 2022
Beckham was not charged or cited and his attorney, Daniel Davilier, later released a statement on behalf of his client. In it, they accused the flight attendant of being overzealous and noted that Beckham had simply fallen asleep.
A statement from Daniel Davilier — Odell Beckham Jr’s Attorney: pic.twitter.com/2ofpyHGJ5A
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2022
Despite the airline snafu, Beckham’s visit with the New York Giants, as well as the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, remains on schedule.
Barring anything unforeseen, Odell Beckham Jr.’s visits remain on schedule, league sources tell @theScore.
I also asked two other playoff teams if today’s incident would dissuade them from exploring OBJ as a FA. Both said no. pic.twitter.com/v5xBK2fMh3
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 27, 2022
If nothing else, this is unfortunate timing for Beckham, who once carried with him a reputation for being immature and controversial. However, those days do seem to be in his past, but this may still give some pause.
