Former NFL Star’s In-Flight Incident Sparks Major Investigation

Former NFL player Gosder Cherilus faces serious allegations after allegedly urinating on a passenger during a flight, leading to his arrest and a diverted plane.

At a Glance

Gosder Cherilus, ex-NFL lineman, accused of urinating on elderly passenger during flight
Delta flight from Boston to Dublin diverted back to Logan Airport due to incident
Cherilus pleaded not guilty to charges including interfering with aircraft operation
Incident allegedly occurred after Cherilus became upset over seating arrangements
Federal investigation underway as incident happened over Canadian waters

Shocking Incident on International Flight

A Delta Air Lines flight from Boston to Dublin took an unexpected turn when former NFL player Gosder Cherilus allegedly urinated on a fellow passenger. The incident, which occurred approximately an hour into the flight, forced the plane to return to Logan Airport in Boston. Massachusetts State Police were called to the scene around 2 a.m. Sunday to handle the situation.

According to court documents, Cherilus, who is 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weighs 280 pounds, approached a 78-year-old woman from Maine seated in 4C and “fully exposed his genitals and began urinating on an elderly female, emptying his entire bladder for approximately 20 seconds.” The victim, identified as Dr. Connee Bush, described the shocking experience.

Gosder Cherilus, 40, was accused of urinating on a passenger and then hitting another person before the flight returned to the airport. https://t.co/iyVAmFAIdG

— FOX 5 NY (@fox5ny) August 20, 2024

Escalation and Arrest

The situation escalated when flight crew members attempted to intervene. Cherilus allegedly became aggressive and struck a 68-year-old man while returning to his seat. When the plane landed back in Boston, Cherilus reportedly became uncooperative with law enforcement.

“Troopers verbally commanded Cherilus to leave the plane, but he became irate and uncooperative. Eventually, troopers escorted Cherilus to the jet bridge and placed him under arrest,” stated a police report from the incident.

Due to Cherilus’s size, troopers had to use two sets of handcuffs to restrain him. He was subsequently arrested by state police and Customs and Border Patrol agents upon landing.

Legal Proceedings and Aftermath

Cherilus, 40, of Wakefield, Massachusetts, pleaded not guilty to charges of interfering with the operation of an aircraft, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Judge Debra A. DelVecchio addressed the severity of the allegations during the court appearance.

“It’s pretty egregious what you did, as alleged,” Judge DelVecchio told Cherilus.

The court ordered Cherilus to remain drug and alcohol-free, undergo random testing, and stay away from Logan Airport unless traveling. He is due back in court on October 11. A federal investigation is also underway as the incident happened over Canadian waters.

Cherilus’s Response and Background

Following the incident, Cherilus released a statement on social media attributing his behavior to a sleeping medication. He wrote, “The flight was unexpectedly delayed for approximately four hours, and it did not take off until after 12:30 AM. In preparation for the unexpected overnight flight, I took a sleeping medication that I don’t normally use, which resulted in behavior that is not representative of my character, and I would like to apologize to the passengers and flight crew.”

Cherilus played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring after the 2016 season. He was a second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference pick at Boston College and was drafted 17th overall in the 2008 NFL draft.

Airline Response and Passenger Impact

Delta Airlines apologized for the delay and reiterated its stance on passenger conduct. In a statement, the company said, “Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and will cooperate with law enforcement to that end. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel.”

The remaining passengers were put on another flight to Dublin, but the incident caused significant disruption and distress. Dr. Bush, who was traveling to Ireland to watch a football game between Georgia Tech and Florida State University, described the shock and fear experienced by those on board.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible behavior during air travel and the potential consequences of actions that jeopardize the safety and comfort of fellow passengers.