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Odell Beckham Jr. escorted off plane at Miami airport

MIAMI — Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was escorted off a flight at Miami International Airport on Sunday after police said he refused to follow instructions, was “in and out of consciousness” and would not leave the aircraft when asked.

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Beckham, 30, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who has played eight seasons in the NFL, allegedly refused to follow crew members’ instructions and fasten his seat belt, according to a statement from American Airlines issued to NJ.com.

“American Airlines Flight 1228, with service from Miami to Los Angeles, returned to the gate before takeoff due to a customer failing to follow crew member instructions and refusing to fasten their seat belt,” the statement said. “The customer was removed and the flight re-departed at 10:54 a.m. local time.”

“The flight crew was concerned for a passenger (Mr. Odell Beckham), as they tried to wake him to fasten his seat belt, he appeared to be coming in and out of consciousness, prior to their departure,” the Miami-Dade Police Department said in
a statement. “Fearing that Mr. Beckham was seriously ill, and that his condition would worsen through the expected five-hour flight, the attendants called for police and fire rescue. Upon the officers’ arrival, the flight crew asked Mr. Beckham several times to exit the aircraft, which he refused.”

Police said the airplane was evacuated and that Beckham ultimately got off the plane when asked by officers. Social media video appeared to show Beckham walking into the terminal at Miami International Airport with police officers.

It is unclear whether Beckham has been charged with a crime, NJ.com reported. He was not arrested, according to ESPN.

Beckham on Sunday morning tweeted several comments, including “comedy hr.”

“Never in my life have I experienced what just happened to me. … I’ve seen it all,” Beckham tweeted.

Other tweets echoed similar complaints: “Never. In. My. Life.” and “I COULD NEVER MAKE THIS UP.”

Beckham, who has not played this season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s Super Bowl, was expected to meet with teams this week, according to ESPN.