Free-agent WR Odell Beckham removed from flight on Sunday in Miami

 

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was removed from an 

American Airlines flight on Sunday from Miami to Los Angeles after 

officers were called to respond to a "medical emergency,

" the Miami-Dade (Florida) Police Department announced on Sunday.

Police added Beckham was not detained nor cited, per NFL Network Insider 

Tom Pelissero.

Police said in a statement on Sunday that the flight crew was concerned 

for a passenger, identified as Beckham, after they attempted to wake him 

to fasten his seatbelt, and Beckham "appeared to be coming in and out of 

consciousness, prior to their departure."

"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," police said in a statement. "Upon the officers arrival, 

the flight crew asked Mr. Beckham several times to exit the aircraft, 

which he refused. The aircraft was deplaned, at which time 

Mr. Beckham was asked by the officers to exit the plane, and did so without

 incident. Mr. Beckham was escorted to the non-secure area of the terminal

 by the officers where he made other arrangements."

American Airlines released the following statement:

"American Airlines flight 1228, with service from Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles 

(LAX), returned to the gate before takeoff due to a customer failing to follow 

crew member instructions and refusing to fasten their seatbelt. 

The customer was removed and the flight re-departed at 10:45 a.m. 

local time." 

Davilier added: "That incident was unnecessary.  Sleeping on a plane 

should not be a cause for removal from a flight. If they could wake him up 

when the flight returned to the gate, then they could have done the same 

thing to ask him to put on his seatbelt."

Beckham appeared to reference the incident in a series of tweets on Sunday.

Beckham's attorney, Daniel Davilier, said in a statement on Sunday 

that Beckham was asleep due to a flight delay, and "at no time 

was Mr. Beckham disruptive or combative."

"Mr. Beckham fell asleep with his blanket over his head, which is his normal 

practice for long flights," Davilier said. "He was awaken and told that 

the plane was back at the gate and that he needed to get off the plane 

because he did not put his seatbelt on when asked. He responded 

that he was asleep, and that he would put his seatbelt on at that time. 

He was informed that it was too late, and that either he would have to get off 

the plane or everyone would have to deplane."

Never in my life have I experienced what just happened to me… I’ve seen it alll..

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 27, 2022

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Beckham 

planned to begin his free-agent visits later this week.

Beckham is slated to visit the Giants (the team who drafted him in 

the first round in 2014) on Thursday and Friday. He then plans to visit 

the Cowboys on Dec. 5 and later will meet with the Bills.

Beckham is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered during Super Bowl LVI.