Gosder Cherilus was arrested early on Sunday after the Delta Air Lines flight returned to Logan International Airport.
Ex-Detroit Lions star Gosder Cherilus was arrested early on Sunday after the Delta Air Lines flight returned to Logan International Airport.
Officers ordered the 40-year-old from Wakefield, near Boston, US, to leave the plane but he “became irate and uncooperative”, police said.
He was then arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing a flight crew.
According to the police report, he appeared drunk when he boarded the plane, allegedly argued with the flight crew about his seat and an hour into the flight urinated on an elderly passenger.
Last night, Cherilus issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, apologising and blaming his behaviour on taking a sleeping tablet on the plane.
“I’d like to address the media reports about me that surfaced today regarding a situation that occurred onboard a flight to Ireland this past weekend.
“The flight was unexpectedly delayed for approximately four hours, and it did not take off until after 12:30AM. 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.”
Gosder Cherilus in 2015 (Mark Tenally/AP)
According to the police report, about an hour into the flight, investigators said Cherilus walked up to an elderly woman, exposed himself, and emptied “his entire bladder for approximately 20 seconds.”
Court documents said the passengers and crew on the flight were in complete shock and feared for their safety.
The flight crew attempted to stop Cherilus, but they said he became unruly and aggressive.
On his way back to his seat, he allegedly hit an elderly man with his right hand, according to the report.
State Police said troopers had to use “two sets of handcuffs to restrain him” when he was arrested because of his size.
Because the incident happened during the flight over Canadian waters there is also a federal investigation underway.
In a statement Monday, Delta confirmed there had been an “unruly customer” on the flight and that the other passengers were later flown to Dublin.
The airline did not say how long the flight was delayed.
“Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behaviour and will cooperate with law enforcement to that end,” the company said in a statement.
“We apologise to our customers for the delay in their trav
