A former NFL player had to be taken off a Delta flight after reportedly causing some disruption during the journey on Wednesday.
Everson Griffen, who used to play on the defensive line, was traveling from Chicago to Minneapolis when the incident led to his return to O’Hare International Airport, as noted by TMZ.
Details surrounding what exactly happened remain unclear, and it’s still unknown if Griffen might face legal repercussions.
A spokesperson from Delta confirmed that a flight from O’Hare to Minneapolis/St. Paul had to turn back due to an unruly passenger being removed.
“Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior and will collaborate with law enforcement when necessary,” the spokesperson stated. “We apologize for the inconvenience as safety and security are our top priorities.”
Flight logs indicated that the Delta Flight departed O’Hare at 10:56 am and returned about an hour later at 12:09 pm.
The Chicago Aviation Administration, which manages O’Hare, directed inquiries to Delta when asked for comment.
Earlier that day, Griffen had shared an Instagram story expressing his excitement about the trip, saying he had arrived at the airport and captioned it, “We’ve got the Chikugo out.”
Griffen, age 37, had a notable career in the NFL, playing for 11 seasons with the Vikings and spending part of the 2020 season with the Cowboys and Lions.
Throughout his 170-game career, he started 96 games, recorded 88.5 sacks, and was selected for the Pro Bowl four times.
In November 2021, he found himself on the injury list due to mental health issues, following a tense situation involving police at his home after he called for help.
He also shared a concerning video on Instagram mentioning he had a gun and felt threatened, which he later deleted.
Griffen subsequently revealed that he was “bipolar.”
Earlier this year, in May 2024, he was arrested for DWI and possession of cocaine. As part of a plea deal, he lost his driver’s license and was prohibited from engaging in alcohol-related offenses or careless driving.
