Current:Home > ContactCourt docs allege ex-NFL player urinated on plane passenger for 20 seconds, refused to depart flight -WealthSync Hub
Court docs allege ex-NFL player urinated on plane passenger for 20 seconds, refused to depart flight
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:04:48
A former NFL player accused of urinating on another passenger, while on a Delta Air Lines flight from Boston to Dublin, Ireland, had pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him but has issued an apology to crew members and fellow passengers on board the flight.
Gosder Cherilus, 40, of Wakefield, Massachusetts, was accused of disorderly behavior on board Delta Air Lines Flight 154 from Boston to Dublin Sunday. A criminal docket, viewed by USA TODAY, states Cherilus was consuming alcohol and was intoxicated prior to the flight, which was delayed by over three and half hours, according to data published on FlightAware.
"Witnesses described Gosder's behavior as disruptive, irritable, delirious and aggressive during the flight," the court documents said.
What happened on the flight?
The ex-NFL player initially fussed over the seating arrangements and about an hour into the flight, got up, walked up to a seat where an elderly lady was seated and began urinating on her, fully exposing his genitals, court documents said, adding he continued the act for 20 seconds, "emptying his entire bladder."
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Crew members and witnesses attempted to stop Cherilus by grabbing his arms and demanding him to go back to his seat. When he went back to his seat, he woke up an elderly man and argued with him over the seating arrangement before hitting him with his right hand.
"Passengers and flight crews were eventually able to deescalate Gosder and convinced him into returning to seat 3D, where he passed out," the court documents said.
Cherilus' actions sent the entire flight into shock and fearing for their safety given he stands at 6'6" and is approximately 280 pounds, as per court records. As the result, the flight was diverted and forced to return to Logan International Airport, where it was met with members of law enforcement agencies.
Cherilus also refused to get off plane
Massachusetts State Police, in a statement Monday, had said troopers boarded the aircraft around 2 a.m. Sunday and commanded the player to leave the plane but "he became irate and uncooperative." Court documents said Cherilus resisted arrest and defied authorities' verbal commands to deboard the plane. He had to eventually be escorted off the flight in handcuffs. Due to his size and strength, it took four officials to restrain him.
Cherilus appeared in court Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, disturbing a flight crew and resisting arrest.
Cherilus issues apology
Cherilus, meanwhile, addressed the matter on social media, apologizing and attributing his behavior to a "sleeping medication" that he normally doesn't use.
"The flight was unexpectedly delayed for approximately four hours," Cherilus wrote in a post on Instagram. "In preparation for the expected 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."
According to data published on FlightAware, Delta Flight 154 left Logan at 12:12 a.m. ET Sunday, more than three and half hours after it was scheduled to take off, before taking a U-turn and landing in Boston at 2:33 a.m.
An attorney for Cherilus could not immediately be reached for a comment.
'Zero tolerance for unlawful behavior,' says Delta
“Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and will cooperate with law enforcement to that end," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel.”
Other passengers, meanwhile, were put on another flight to Dublin on Sunday, a Delta spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday.
Who is Gosder Cherilus?
Cherilus was an offensive tackle at Boston College from 2005 to 2007. He was drafted into the NFL in 2008 by the Detroit Lions. He played five seasons in Detroit, two with the Indianapolis Colts and two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 2016.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (465)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 9 drawing: Jackpot rises to $92 million
- Kid Rock tells fellow Trump supporters 'most of our left-leaning friends are good people'
- John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
- School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Lions find way to win, Bears in tough spot: Best (and worst) from NFL Week 10
- Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Kristin Cavallari's Ex Mark Estes Jokingly Proposed to This Love Island USA Star
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- 'Gladiator 2' review: Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel
- MVSU football player killed, driver injured in crash after police chase
- NBC's hospital sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' might heal you with laughter: Review
Recommendation
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
South Carolina lab recaptures 5 more escaped monkeys but 13 are still loose
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting their first child together
Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
Taylor Swift's Dad Scott Swift Photobombs Couples Pic With Travis Kelce