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On Christmas Eve, two professional basketball players were kicked off an American Airlines flight after a flight attendant accused them of stealing blankets.
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According to Dallas News, the incident occurred at DFW International Airport. Memphis Hustle ballers #TrahsonBurrell and #MarquisTeague were boarding a flight to Sioux Falls, S.D. when they were given blankets from two first-class passengers.
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As the ballers of the Memphis Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate took their seats in coach, the flight attendant accused them of stealing the first class blankets. According to reports, an argument ensued and the flight attendant reported the incident to officials, claiming she felt threatened by the two black men and refused to fly with them on the plane. As a result, Burrell and Teague were escorted off the plane and placed on a later flight, however, they missed their team’s Christmas dinner because of the mishap.
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Following the incident, the airline was apologetic. In a statement, the airline apologized for the incident, adding that they “take pride in bringing people together, and we know that on this flight we let some of our customers down.” However, the incident received widespread attention, as the airline was faced with criticism for the flight attendant’s accusation. However, the airline said the attendant involved was also black.
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The team’s coach, Glynn Cyprien and assistant coach, Darnell Lazare took to Twitter to condemn the airline and attendant after the incident.
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“It’s 2017 and a Flight attendant for @AmericanAir sees 2 young black athletes with blankets from first class, his 1st comment is ‘did you steal them’ how about you teach people to get the facts first before jumping to conclusions,” Lazare wrote, while Cyprien simply said, “SHAME ON YOU.”
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“American Airlines Needs Sensitivity Training to Attendants on flights dealing with Humans & Blankets!” Cyprien added.
