NBA star John Amaechi ‘humiliated’ by Heathrow security’s ‘private’ search because he was ‘too big’
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Six foot NBA star turned psychologist John Amaechi says he was ‘humiliated’ after being ‘privately’ searched at Heathrow Airport when told he was ‘too big’ for security scanners
- John Amaechi, 52, says he was told he was ‘too big’ for scanners at Heathrow
- The ex-NBA star was selected for a ‘humiliating’ search by security personnel
- John, the first openly gay NBA player. said he was left furious by the search
- Heathrow apologized to the retired sports star and said it was investigating
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An enraged British basketball legend had to undergo a ‘humiliating’ search by Heathrow airport staff after being told he was ‘too big’ for the security scanners.
John Amaechi, the first ever openly gay player in the NBA, said he was “randomly” selected by security officials to undergo an additional body search after triggering a warning.
The 52-year-old retired athlete-turned-psychologist – who received an OBE in 2011 for his services to the sport – was then re-flagged by a second scanner in the first-class security queue at Terminal 5.
The staff blamed the former basketball star’s 6ft 9ins height as the reason for the intimate search.
But the excuse infuriated Mr. Amaechi. He took to Twitter and gushed, “I just had to do a “private” search on @HeathrowAirport. The first ‘beep’ was “random selection” (almost every time) and then another machine gave a “double yellow” (because) – & I quote “you’re too big.” Then a private search with (with) 2 people. Humiliating to be led away. Furious again.’
Former British basketball legend John Amaechi says he was privately searched by staff at Heathrow after reportedly being told he was ‘too big’ for the security scanners
The 52-year-old, who was the first ever openly gay player in the NBA, said he was humiliated by the incident. He is pictured in 2000 during his time with Orlando Magic, in Florida
‘Too tall for security scanners’: John claims staff told him he was too tall for their scanners, prompting his private investigation. Pictured is a similar full-body scanner at Manchester Airport
The former England international, who also worked for the BBC as an Olympics reporter, was born in the US to a Nigerian father and a British mother, and grew up in Stockport, Greater Manchester.
He started playing basketball at age 17 and played five seasons in the NBA, playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz.
John, now a company director and best-selling author, was on his way to the British Airways lounge for a flight to Dublin last Wednesday when he was stopped and searched – an action that has since sparked a racism row.
Describing the incident, John told the Guardian: “I’m a six-foot black male standing in security, clearly unable to move on of his own free will, and the passengers … are looking at me – like what has he done? – while I stand there for 12-15 minutes. Then you enter a private room where two men keep an eye on you while you are searched – more invasive than when people can see you. The idea that a random beep could escalate to that seems outrageous to me.’
Though John said two of the three security officers who frisked him were Asian and “polite.” But he added: “They were part of a system that says some people look like problems and some don’t. It’s not Heathrow’s problem in terms of the source – it’s Heathrow’s ability to change the way they respond.”
Heathrow said it has launched an investigation into the incident. The photo shows people queuing in Terminal 5, where John was stopped
A Heathrow spokesperson apologized to the retired basketball star, saying she was “sorry to hear about your upsetting experience.”
Mr Amaechi gained support from other sports stars after he tweeted about the incident at Heathrow – with some accusing the airport of racial prejudice.
Among them was white British champion rower Matthew Pinsent, who said: ‘Data point from a fellow of similar size. I have never been selected for a “private” search at a UK airport. Didn’t even know they existed.’
And Dr. Leon Black tweeted, “This is simply unacceptable and downright bullsh*t. How can anyone demand a private investigation because they are “too big”? Six-foot-tall, middle-aged white dude here, and I’ve never been asked to step aside for a ‘private’ enquiry.”
Another Twitter user added, “Same. 6 foot tall white male who has been involved in physical sports all my adult life. Never dragged in for a private investigation.’
A spokesperson for Heathrow told MailOnline: ‘We understand that a call for additional security checks could affect a passenger’s experience at the airport.
“These extra checks are not discriminatory and will only take place for security reasons. When necessary, we invite the passenger to a private room so that these checks can take place quickly and privately.
“Our aim is to make this process as smooth as possible and to allow passengers to continue their journey. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome at Heathrow, whether they’re a passenger or a colleague.”