In a startling turn of events, former NFL offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus found himself at the center of a dramatic mid-flight incident that led to his arrest. Cherilus, 40, who once dominated the gridiron as a first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, now faces serious charges after allegedly causing a major disturbance aboard a Delta Airlines flight.
The trouble began late Saturday night on a Delta flight bound for Dublin, Ireland, when Cherilus’s behavior took an unexpected and outrageous turn. According to reports, the former football star allegedly urinated on another passenger, prompting the aircrew to make an urgent call for assistance. The situation escalated to such a degree that the crew decided to reroute the flight back to Boston, where Massachusetts State Police were waiting to intervene.
After the plane landed at Boston’s Logan Airport in the early hours of Sunday morning, State Police officers boarded the aircraft and requested that Cherilus disembark. However, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer was reportedly uncooperative, refusing to leave the plane voluntarily. This led to officers forcibly escorting him off the aircraft and placing him under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing a flight crew.
The incident left the passengers, whose travel plans were abruptly disrupted, reeling. Delta Airlines confirmed that the affected passengers were rebooked on a new flight the following night, ensuring they would arrive in Dublin on Monday morning. In a statement, Delta expressed its zero-tolerance policy for unlawful behavior, emphasizing its commitment to cooperating fully with law enforcement in such matters.
Cherilus, who had a distinguished NFL career with the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has since transitioned into the real estate business, founding his own company, Bastion Companies. His football legacy includes starting 116 of 132 games and earning over $40 million during his time on the field. Notably, he was recently honored with an induction into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame, recognizing his impressive collegiate career where he set a school record with 51 consecutive starts.
The former athlete is set to be arraigned in East Boston District Court, where the legal consequences of his actions will unfold. This shocking incident marks a dramatic fall from grace for a player once celebrated for his strength and discipline on the football field. As the legal process moves forward, it remains to be seen how this will impact Cherilus’s post-football endeavors and his public image.