Former NFL Lineman Gosder Cherilus Arrested for Urinating on Elderly Woman During Delta Flight
Former NFL offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus has been arrested and charged following a shocking incident on a Delta flight from Boston to Ireland. The 40-year-old, who previously played for the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allegedly urinated on a 78-year-old woman during the flight, prompting the aircraft to return to Boston.
Disturbing Incident Forces Flight to Turn Around
Cherilus, a Wakefield, Massachusetts resident, appeared in East Boston District Court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges including disorderly conduct, disturbing a flight crew, and resisting arrest. The flight, Delta Flight 154, had initially left Boston Logan International Airport at 12:12 a.m. ET on Sunday, but had to turn back and land at 2:33 a.m. due to the disturbance.
According to court documents, Cherilus was seated in 3D and became agitated with his seat assignment. As the flight was cruising at 36,000 feet above Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cherilus allegedly approached the elderly woman in seat 4C and urinated on her, emptying his bladder over a span of approximately 20 seconds.
Passengers and Crew React to the Disturbance
The incident caused significant alarm among passengers and crew. Witnesses intervened, attempting to stop Cherilus and return him to his seat. During the altercation, Cherilus reportedly struck a 68-year-old passenger in seat 3D before returning to his seat, where he fell unconscious.
Delta’s flight crew contacted law enforcement, and when the plane landed back at Logan, Massachusetts State Police and Customs and Border Patrol agents boarded to address the situation. Cherilus was described as irate and uncooperative, and he was eventually arrested for his actions.
Cherilus’ Explanation and NFL Career
In a statement posted on social media, Cherilus attributed his erratic behavior to a bad reaction to a sleep medication, which he claimed was compounded by the flight’s unexpected delay. “I took a sleeping medication that I don’t normally use, which resulted in behavior that is not representative of my character,” Cherilus said, apologizing to the passengers and flight crew.
Cherilus enjoyed a successful NFL career, playing nine seasons in the league. He started 116 of 132 games and was a key figure on the offensive line for multiple teams. At Boston College, he was noted for his protection of quarterback Matt Ryan, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Delta’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
Delta Airlines confirmed that Flight 154 had to return to Boston due to the “unruly customer,” and the airline emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for unlawful behavior. “We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel,” a Delta spokesperson said.
As the investigation continues, Cherilus’ actions have sparked a significant response, reflecting the serious nature of the incident and its impact on all those involved.
