Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis believes race influenced his recent removal in handcuffs from a United Airlines flight after he asked for a cup of ice. United Airlines has since apologized and suspended the flight attendant involved.

Davis, a former Denver Broncos star and two-time Super Bowl champion, recounted that on a flight to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, he lightly tapped a flight attendant who didn’t respond to his son’s request for ice. The flight attendant shouted, “Don’t hit me.”

After the flight landed, FBI agents and sheriff’s deputies boarded, taking Davis away in handcuffs. United Airlines later apologized and suspended the flight attendant while reviewing the incident.

Davis expressed that if he were not Black, he might have been questioned but not removed in handcuffs. He criticized United for not seeking his side of the story before calling authorities, highlighting the support of a fellow passenger who witnessed the incident and confirmed it was not violent.

The FBI responded to an “allegation of a violent assault aboard” the flight, detained Davis for questioning, and released him after determining the flight attendant’s accusations were inaccurate. Davis’ wife, Tamiko, emphasized the racial implications of the incident for their children.

Terrell Davis, who played seven seasons with the Broncos, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1997 and 1998 and was MVP of the 1998 Super Bowl, leading Denver to two consecutive titles.