In a move that proves even NFL stars aren’t immune to bathroom mishaps, former football giant Gosder Cherilus found himself in the most awkward of situations—literally. The 40-year-old former offensive tackle made headlines, not for his gridiron glory, but for allegedly turning a Delta flight into his personal restroom. Yes, you read that right—Cherilus has been accused of taking a golden shower to a whole new level by reportedly urinating on a fellow passenger.
The airborne debacle occurred on a flight from Boston to Dublin, where Cherilus apparently decided that the seatbelt sign was more of a suggestion than a rule. According to Us Weekly, the ex-NFL player was taken into custody after what can only be described as a “pee-culiar” incident.
It seems the mile-high mishap caused quite the commotion, forcing the plane to do a U-turn right back to Logan International Airport in Boston. Talk about a splashdown! Once back on the ground, the former Lions and Colts player was greeted by law enforcement—though not the kind of fans he’s used to meeting.
A Delta spokesperson, clearly trying to keep a straight face, confirmed the fiasco, stating, “Delta flight 154 from Boston to Dublin on August 17 returned to Boston Logan due to an unruly customer and was met by law enforcement.” Translation: when it rains, it pours, and sometimes it lands you in handcuffs. Delta was quick to apologize for the inconvenience, reassuring everyone that their flights usually only include minor turbulence, not liquid surprises.
With the flight officially flushed, passengers were rebooked for the next day, undoubtedly hoping their next trip would be less eventful—and dryer.
As if the situation couldn’t get any more absurd, TMZ reported that Cherilus became “irate and uncooperative” when the onboard authorities tried to ask him why he confused the cabin for a lavatory. In a surprising twist, this didn’t help his case, and he was promptly arraigned in East Boston District Court on Monday. Released on $2,500 bail, Gosder is now under strict orders to stay away from alcohol, drugs, and—one would hope—all future in-flight toilets.
Cherilus is due back in court on October 11, where he’ll have the chance to explain how a simple bathroom break turned into an unforgettable cross-Atlantic spectacle. Until then, he might want to invest in a good GPS… for finding the bathroom, of course.
