Gosder Cherilus has released a statement after his arrest for allegedly urinating on an elderly woman and punching a man on a trans-Atlantic flight.
Cherilus, who played 132 matches in the NFL, was on a flight from Boston to Dublin when he is alleged to have become disorderly.
According to the Massachusetts State Police report, the 40-year-old appeared drunk when he boarded the plane and is said to have argued with the flight crew about his seat.
He is then accused of exposing himself to an elderly woman and emptying ‘his entire bladder for approximately 20 seconds’.
Gosder Cherilus was arrested after the flight landed
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The flight was diverted back to Logan Airport where he was arrested by police.
“Troopers verbally commanded Cherilus to leave the plane, but he became irate and uncooperative,” the police statement added.
“Eventually, Troopers escorted Cherilus to the jet bridge and placed him under arrest.”
Cherilus has now spoken out on the incident online with a brief statement, blaming his behaviour on a sleeping pill.
“I’d like to address the media reports about me that surfaced today regarding a situation that occurred onboard a flight to Ireland this past weekend,” his statement read.
“This flight was unexpectedly delayed for approximately four hours, and it did not take off until after 12.30am.
“In preparation for the unexpected overnight flight, I took a sleeping medication that I don’t normally use, which resulted in behaviour that is not representative of my character, and I would like to apologise to the passengers and flight crew.”
The Boston Globe report that Cherilus was arraigned on Monday in the East Boston District Court.
Gosder Cherilus played 132 matches in the NFL
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“It’s pretty egregious what you did, as alleged,” Judge Debra A. DelVecchio said.
Court documents said that passengers and the flight crew feared for their safety.
As the incident happened over Canadian waters, there is also a federal investigation underway.
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Gosder Cherilus retired in 2017
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Cherilus was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
He spent five seasons with the Lions before moving to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 and ending his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cherilus announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2017.