Former NFL Player Gosder Cherilus Arrested for Drunken Assault and Disorderly Conduct on Flight from Boston to Dublin

BOSTON -- Gosder Cherilus, a former NFL player who was once a first-round pick for the Detroit Lions, has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and assault after allegedly engaging in disturbing behavior on a flight from Boston to Dublin. Massachusetts State Police reported that the 40-year-old Cherilus was taken into custody early Sunday morning after the Delta Air Lines flight had to return to Logan International Airport.

According to authorities, Cherilus was visibly intoxicated when he boarded the plane and reportedly got into a heated argument with the flight crew over his seat. Approximately an hour into the flight, the former football player is accused of urinating on an elderly passenger and physically assaulting another traveler. Witnesses stated that Cherilus then claimed the seat of the assaulted passenger before eventually passing out.

Upon the plane's return to Boston, state troopers ordered Cherilus to disembark, but he allegedly became confrontational and non-compliant. Consequently, he was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing a flight crew. Cherilus, who hails from Wakefield, a town near Boston, was arraigned in East Boston District Court on Monday, where Judge Debra A. DelVecchio expressed her concern over the alleged incidents.

Cherilus took to Instagram to issue a public apology, attributing his behavior to the influence of a sleeping medication that he rarely uses. The former NFL player stated that his actions were not indicative of his character.

Delta Air Lines has confirmed the incident, referring to the passenger as an "unruly customer." The airline assured that the other passengers were later flown to Dublin. While no information was provided regarding the length of the flight delay, Cherilus estimated it to be around four hours.

In their statement, Delta expressed their zero-tolerance policy for unlawful behavior and promised to cooperate fully with law enforcement. The company also apologized to affected passengers for the inconvenience caused by the delay in their travel.

The case against Cherilus is expected to proceed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the former NFL player faces the legal consequences of his alleged actions on the flight.