Terrell Davis says United banned him after flight incident. Airline says it was already rescinded

DENVER — Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis posted an email from United Airlines on Tuesday indicating he had been banned from flying with the airline until a review was conducted an incident was completed earlier this month. But United officials said the ban was sent weeks ago and then rescinded.

Davis, who previously played for the Denver Broncos, said he was handcuffed and removed from a flight on July 13 after he lightly tapped a flight attendant on the arm, prompting the employee to say, “Don’t hit me” and rush away.

Davis, who was later released after an apology, has criticised United for making him feel “humiliated” and demanded an investigation.

The day after the incident, the United email banning Davis was generated and sent, United said in a statement. The ban was lifted the next day, which was communicated to Davis’ team, the airline said.

According to Davis’ attorney, Parker Stinar, Davis had only recently seen the travel ban email and they had not received notice that the travel ban had been lifted until Tuesday, when Davis posted the correspondence.

“We released the email due to a lack of response from United on all fronts,” Stinar said in a statement.

United Airlines said the flight attendant is no longer employed by the company, adding: “We have apologized to Mr. Davis for his experience and continue to evaluate our approach to incidents like this.”

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Jesse Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.