A former NFL player found himself in a tangle with the law after an incident on a Delta Airlines flight this weekend. Gosder Cherilus, a 40-year-old Boston College alum, has been accused of urinating on another passenger during the flight from Boston to Dublin. The plane was forced to return to Boston Logan International Airport early yesterday morning after the altercation. Massachusetts State Police detailed the account, describing Cherilus as "irate and uncooperative" upon their request for him to leave the aircraft, as reported by Mass Live.
The incident led to Cherilus's arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing a flight crew. Despite the disturbance, stranded passengers continued their journey to Ireland on a different flight later that day. Before joining the NFL, Cherilus was a notable player at Boston College and was drafted in 2008, playing for teams including the Detroit Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Indianapolis Colts, as mentioned by Boston 25 News.
Delta Airlines, the carrier involved in the incident, issued a statement affirming the company's "zero tolerance for unlawful behavior" and its commitment to cooperating with law enforcement. Delta apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused by the delay. Flying with the expectancy of safety and decorum, the other passengers aboard the interrupted flight likely did not anticipate their trip being derailed by such a disruptive episode, as per NBC Boston.
Cherilus is set to appear before a judge today in East Boston District Court for arraignment. It's unclear if he has legal representation. This situation is a stark contrast to his successful NFL career, where he started 116 of 132 games. After retiring in 2016, the former offensive tackle now faces a new challenge, with the legal consequences of his actions yet to be determined.
