'Unruly' former NFL player arrested for allegedly peeing on elderly woman, hitting man during flight

BOSTON (TCN) -- A former first-round pick in the NFL reportedly caused a flight en route to Ireland to turn around after he allegedly became "unruly" and urinated on a woman and hit a male passenger.

WBZ-TV reports Massachusetts State Police responded to Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday, Aug. 18, at around 2 a.m. due to "an unruly passenger who urinated on another passenger on board." The flight, which was headed to Dublin, Ireland, reportedly turned around due to the incident and safety concerns.

The passenger, Gosder Cherilus, allegedly got into an argument with a fellow passenger over seats. At one point, about an hour after the plane departed from Boston, Cherilus allegedly approached a woman and began urinating on her. Police reportedly said Cherilus drained "his entire bladder for approximately 20 seconds."

The female victim told NBC Boston it was a "very weird experience, and it’s not one I would like to repeat."

Flight attendants reportedly attempted to stop him, but he then struck a passenger. Other people on the flight reportedly said Cherilus was "disruptive, irritable, delirious, and aggressive."

Once the flight landed back in Boston, Cherilus allegedly "became irate and uncooperative" with law enforcement and refused to get off the plane. WHDH-TV reports it took four Massachusetts State Police troopers and Customs and Border Protection officials to finally restrain and arrest him.

According to WBZ, Cherilus is 6-foot-6 and approximately 280 pounds. Officials reportedly needed to use two sets of handcuffs on him.

WHDH reports Cherilus is charged with disorderly conduct, interfering with aircraft operation, and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty and was released after posting bail. As part of his bail conditions, he reportedly is not allowed to go near Logan Airport or consume alcohol or drugs because he will be tested at random.

Cherilus posted a statement on social media acknowledging his actions, saying, "The flight was unexpectedly delayed for approximately four hours, and it did not take off until after 12:30 a.m. In preparation for the unexpected overnight flight, I took a sleeping medication that I normally don’t use, which resulted in behavior that is not representative of my character, and I would like to apologize to the passengers and flight crew."

A Delta spokesperson told WHDH, "Delta has zero tolerance for unlawful behavior and will cooperate with law enforcement to that end. We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel."

Cherilus played football for Boston College, then got picked 17th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2008 NFL draft. He spent five years with the Lions, two with the Indianapolis Colts, and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 2016.

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