Everson Griffen, a four-time Pro Bowler for the Minnesota Vikings, was removed from a flight bound for Minneapolis from Chicago for allegedly causing a disturbance, TMZ reported.
The Delta Air Lines flight returned to O’Hare International Airport moments after taking off, TMZ reported. A Delta spokesperson said pilots grounded the jet in order to have “an unruly passenger removed.”
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and will always work with law enforcement to that end,” the spokesperson told TMZ. “We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel as safety and security comes before everything else at Delta.”
Griffen played in the NFL from 2010 to 2021 and recorded 85.5 sacks in 170 career games. He spent time with the Lions and Cowboys, but played most of his career in Minnesota.
Griffen received care after having a mental health episode in 2018 while playing for the Vikings.