Odell Beckham Jr. escorted off plane at Miami airport
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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
MIAMI — Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was escorted off a flight at Miami International Airport on Sunday after police said he refused to follow instructions, was “in and out of consciousness” and would not leave the aircraft when asked.
Beckham, 30, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has played eight seasons in the NFL, allegedly refused to follow crew members’ instructions and fasten his seat belt, according to a statement from American Airlines issued to NJ.com.
“American Airlines Flight 1228, with service from Miami to Los Angeles, returned to the gate before takeoff due to a customer failing to follow crew member instructions and refusing to fasten their seat belt,” the statement said. “The customer was removed and the flight re-departed at 10:54 a.m. local time.”
“The flight crew was concerned for a passenger (Mr. Odell Beckham), as they tried to wake him to fasten his seat belt, he appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness, prior to their departure,” the Miami-Dade Police Department said in
a statement. “Fearing that Mr. Beckham was seriously ill, and that his condition would worsen through the expected five-hour flight, the attendants called for police and fire rescue. Upon the officers’ arrival, the flight crew asked Mr. Beckham several times to exit the aircraft, which he refused.”
Police said the airplane was evacuated and that Beckham ultimately got off the plane when asked by officers. Social media video appeared to show Beckham walking into the terminal at Miami International Airport with police officers.
It is unclear whether Beckham has been charged with a crime, NJ.com reported. He was not arrested, according to ESPN.
Beckham on Sunday morning tweeted several comments, including “comedy hr.”
“Never in my life have I experienced what just happened to me. … I’ve seen it all,” Beckham tweeted.
Beckham, who has not played this season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s Super Bowl, was expected to meet with teams this week, according to ESPN.
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years Here are some memorable photos of NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. through the years. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2011: Odell Beckham of the LSU Tigers against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2011, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2012: Mike Marry of the Ole Miss Rebels pursues Odell Beckham Jr. of the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 17, 2012, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2014: Odell Beckham of the New York Giants reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles during a game at MetLife Stadium on December 28, 2014, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2015: NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. accepts the award for Best Play onstage during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2016: Odell Beckham of the New York Giants celebrates after a 27-13 win over the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 27, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2017: Emily Ratajkowski and Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants present the present the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year to quarterback Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL Honors at the Wortham Theater Center on February 4, 2017, in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2018: Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants cheers before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2018: Jaylon Smith of the Dallas Cowboys and Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants exchange game jerseys after the Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 20-13 at AT&T Stadium on September 16, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2019: Odell Beckham Jr. and Nikki Bella attend Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2020: Odell Beckham Jr. attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 9, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2021: Odell Beckham Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after Los Angeles was defeated by the Green Bay Packers 36-28 at Lambeau Field on November 28, 2021, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Photos: Odell Beckham Jr. through the years 2022: Odell Beckham Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)