United Airlines Apologizes to Terrell Davis and Fires Flight Attendant Who Claimed the NFL Star ‘Hit’ Him

According to Davis, he lightly tapped a crew member to ask for a cup of ice during his flight, and the attendant shouted back “Don’t hit me!” The interaction ended there, but when the flight landed FBI agents boarded the plane and removed the former football star. They questioned him and later released him, after, he says, it was determined he had done nothing wrong.The airlines said in response to his post that they sent the notification to Davis on July 14, one day after he was removed from the flight, and “rescinded” it on July 15, which they claim was “communicated to Mr. Davis’ legal team.”

“It was generated due to the report of the flight attendant — who is no longer employed by United,” the airline wrote in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “The day after the letter was sent, we discussed with Mr. Davis’ team that it had been rescinded.”

“We have apologized to Mr. Davis for his experience and continue to review our handling of incidents like this to protect our highest priority — the safety of our customers and crew,” the airline added.

Davis’s legal team, however, refutes this timelineThe athlete’s lawyer Parker Stinar wrote in a statement sent to United and shared with PEOPLE by the airline, that it was “blatantly false” that the airlines communicated that the ban was lifted “to the Davis Family through his lawyers,” and that they instead found out on July 30.

“We continue to be disappointed by the inappropriate and disrespectful handling of this horrific incident by United’s communication and legal teams,” Stinar said in his statement. “This response only further reinforces the lack of care taken with the Davis Family and disregard and negligence of their well-being. Engaging in tactics in an attempt to discredit the timeline of events is worrisome, to say the least.”

A representative for United calls this timeline “false.”

Davis previously recounted the details of the harrowing incident on his flight on Instagram.

He wrote that his son “politely requested a cup of ice,” but the flight attendant appeared not to hear him and proceeded past their row. Davis alleged he then “calmly reached behind” him and “lightly tapped” the flight attendant’s arm to get his attention. The crew member then shouted “don’t hit me,” Davis claims, and left the beverage cart “to hurriedly approach the front of the plane.”

“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 recalls.

United Airlines recently found itself in the spotlight following an incident involving a former football star, Davis, who recounted a troubling interaction with a flight attendant. According to Davis, the incident began when he lightly tapped a crew member to ask for a cup of ice during his flight. The flight attendant allegedly shouted back, “Don’t hit me!” Although the interaction ended there, it escalated significantly once the flight landed.

Upon arrival, FBI agents boarded the plane and escorted Davis off, subjecting him to questioning. They later released him after determining that he had done nothing wrong. This incident sparked a public and legal dispute between Davis and United Airlines, centered on the communication and handling of the situation.

Davis took to social media to share his account of the incident, expressing his disbelief and frustration. He explained that his son had politely requested a cup of ice, but the flight attendant appeared not to hear and proceeded past their row. To get the attendant’s attention, Davis claimed he calmly reached behind and lightly tapped the crew member’s arm. The attendant’s reaction was swift and surprising, shouting “don’t hit me” before hurrying to the front of the plane with the beverage cart.

Davis stated that he was taken aback by the attendant’s behavior, finding it both rude and unfounded. He did not interact with the crew member again for the remainder of the flight, thinking little of the incident until the plane landed. The presence of FBI agents and his subsequent removal from the aircraft came as a shock, compounding his sense of bewilderment and distress.

In response to the incident, United Airlines initially sent a notification to Davis on July 14, the day after he was removed from the flight, indicating some form of action against him. However, the airline claimed it rescinded this notification the following day, on July 15, and communicated this to Davis’s legal team. United also stated that the flight attendant involved in the incident was no longer employed by the airline, a detail included in their statement shared with PEOPLE.

United Airlines expressed regret over the incident, stating, “We have apologized to Mr. Davis for his experience and continue to review our handling of incidents like this to protect our highest priority — the safety of our customers and crew.” This assertion was meant to convey the airline’s commitment to safety and its willingness to address and rectify the situation.

However, Davis’s legal team contested United’s timeline and communication. Parker Stinar, Davis’s lawyer, issued a statement challenging the airline’s claims. Stinar described United’s version of events as “blatantly false,” asserting that the Davis family only learned that the ban was lifted on July 30, contrary to the airline’s statements. Stinar’s statement, shared with PEOPLE, highlighted the family’s ongoing disappointment with United’s handling of the incident. He criticized the airline’s communication and legal teams for their perceived disrespect and negligence towards the Davis family’s well-being.

Stinar’s statement underscored a broader concern about the tactics employed by United in addressing the incident. “This response only further reinforces the lack of care taken with the Davis Family and disregard and negligence of their well-being. Engaging in tactics in an attempt to discredit the timeline of events is worrisome, to say the least,” he remarked. This response pointed to a deeper mistrust and dissatisfaction with how United managed the situation and communicated with the Davis family.

A representative for United Airlines reiterated their position, calling Davis’s timeline “false” and standing by their version of the events. This conflicting narrative between United and Davis’s legal team further complicated the matter, drawing public attention and scrutiny.

The incident raises significant questions about how airlines handle passenger interactions, especially those involving misunderstandings or disputes. It highlights the importance of clear and effective communication, both during the flight and in the aftermath of any incident. Additionally, it underscores the need for thorough and fair investigations to ensure that all parties are treated justly and that any actions taken are appropriate and justified.

For Davis, the experience was harrowing and deeply troubling. He recounted the details on Instagram, where he explained the initial request for a cup of ice by his son and the subsequent events that led to his removal from the flight. Davis’s narrative emphasized his perception of the flight attendant’s rudeness and the unfounded nature of the accusations against him. His social media post aimed to set the record straight and share his side of the story with the public.

The broader implications of this incident for United Airlines and other carriers are significant. It serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of customer service in the aviation industry and the potential for minor incidents to escalate into major public relations challenges. Airlines must navigate these situations carefully, balancing the need to maintain safety and order with the imperative to treat passengers with respect and fairness.

In conclusion, the incident involving Davis and United Airlines is a complex and multifaceted situation that highlights the challenges airlines face in managing passenger interactions and maintaining effective communication. The conflicting accounts of the timeline and actions taken by United have fueled a public and legal dispute, drawing attention to the broader issues of customer service and conflict resolution in the aviation industry. As this case continues to unfold, it will likely serve as a key example for how airlines can better handle similar situations in the future, ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity and respect while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security.