Odell Beckham Jr. Breaks Silence on Flight Incident That Led to His Removal

Odell Beckham Jr. opened up about the American Airlines incident from three years ago in a tell-all interview with Haute Living.

Odell Beckham Jr. Breaks Silence on Flight Incident That Led to His Removal

Odell Beckham Jr (Images via Marca/CBS News)

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Almost three years ago, Odell Beckham Jr. had a strange incident that landed him in hot waters. The former New York Giants wideout declined to fasten his seatbelt and was removed from an American Airlines flight before it departed Miami for Los Angeles.

The cabin crew reported that he appeared to be slipping in and out of consciousness. Later, being concerned for his well-being and the safety of the flight, they requested that he be removed from the aircraft. Beckham Jr., however, disputed their assessment, leading to a tense exchange, not only with the crew but also with fellow first-class passengers.

The situation escalated to the point where the entire plane had to be deplaned, resulting in significant delays and frustration for both passengers and crew. In a recent interview with Laura Schreffler of Haute Living, Odell Beckham Jr. opened up on the flight incident, among other things. He claimed that he dozed off like any person after boarding the plane, only to find several officers crowding him and asking to be removed.

I bought a first-class seat on a specific flight to get home and see my son. I was one of the first people to board. The flight gets delayed for an hour while we’re sitting there, so I just go to sleep, like anybody else would do, and then I’m woken up — an hour and 20 minutes later — thinking I’m waking up to us landing in California, to nine officers surrounding me.

He added that the circumstances were a bit confusing as well. He alleged that the crew told him he refused to undo his seatbelt, which he mentioned he wouldn’t be doing if he were unconscious.

However, he admitted that emotions had gotten the better of him, and asserted that the emotions took over once he realized that he would miss seeing his son for the time being. In the interview, he also alleged that there were some racially charged comments directed at him as well. He added that people and media only see that “Odell Beckham is creating a scene,” instead of seeing his perspective.

Fatherhood at the heart of Odell Beckham Jr.’s flight frustration

In the interview, Odell Beckham Jr also opened up deeper about fatherhood and his son, which might be key to understanding how much missing that flight meant to him.

Odell Beckham Jr, Zydn Beckham
Odell Beckham Jr with his son Zydn Beckham (Image via @obj on Instagram)

Beckham Jr. is a father to a three-year-old, Zydn Beckham Jr, whom he shares with his former partner Lauren Wood. Wood and Beckham called it quits in 2023, but remain more than amicable and currently co-parent Zydn.

He admitted that Zydn means everything to him and takes up the highest rung of priority in his life. He also added that his son has changed his lifestyle and how he sees every day. The interviewer added that the famous figure lit up when talking about his son, adding that fatherhood has grounded and transformed the wideout. Beckham Jr. also grinned ear-to-ear while reflecting on how his little kid is a twin of his:

It’s taught me so much patience, so much love. It’s the best thing in the world. You’re looking at your twin, and he does something, and it’s like — it’s just like you. I always ask my mom, ‘Was I like this?’ And she’s like, ‘Exactly like that.’ It’s like watching myself all over again.

The tell-all interview, nevertheless, has come out amid a controversial time. The wideout has been in the headlines for a much different angle, one that involves an alleged s*x criminal.

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