Former four‑time Pro Bowler Everson Griffen found himself at the center of an unexpected incident this Wednesday when he was removed from a Delta Air Lines flight. The 37‑year‑old ex‑Viking had boarded a flight from Chicago O’Hare to Minneapolis. Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft turned back, triggering a delay while authorities escorted Griffen off the plane.
A Delta spokesperson confirmed that the pilots returned to the gate specifically “in order to have an unruly passenger removed.” The airline emphasized that “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and will always work with law enforcement to that end.” The statement expressed regret for the inconvenience but underscored that “safety and security comes before everything else at Delta.”
It remains unclear whether Griffen faced any charges following the incident. Earlier that same morning Griffen had already shared a glimpse of his travel day on social media. Capturing himself driving toward the airport, he captioned the video “We out Chicago!!!” and followed it up with “It’s up,” adding “it better be!!!”
Griffen’s NFL career spanned from 2010 to 2021. Over the course of 170 games, he recorded an impressive 85.5 sacks. While he was celebrated on the field, Wednesday’s events cast a shadow over his public image. Fans and fellow travelers alike were left wondering what exactly transpired during the flight and whether Griffen’s excitement had escalated into something more troubling.
As of now, no further details are available. We will continue to monitor the situation and update once more is learned about the reasons behind the disturbance and any resulting consequences for the former Minnesota star.
