Former NFL player Gosder Cherilus, 40, has found himself in legal trouble after an alarming incident on a recent flight. The former offensive lineman was arrested on Saturday, August 17, after allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger during a Delta flight from Boston to Dublin, Ireland. The flight, which was promptly rerouted back to Boston’s Logan International Airport, ended with Cherilus being taken into custody.
According to reports, the incident unfolded mid-flight, causing significant disruption among passengers and crew. Delta Airlines, in a statement to Boston 25 News, confirmed the situation and emphasized their strict stance against unlawful behavior.
“Delta flight 154 from Boston to Dublin on August 17 returned to Boston Logan due to an unruly customer and was met by law enforcement,” a Delta spokesperson said. “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.”
The unexpected turn of events left passengers stranded, as the flight was forced to return to its origin. Delta ensured that all passengers were rebooked on a new flight scheduled for Sunday, August 18, with an expected arrival in Dublin on Monday morning.
Eyewitnesses reported that Cherilus became “irate and uncooperative” when law enforcement officers boarded the plane upon its return to Boston. His behavior reportedly escalated as officers attempted to take him into custody. The situation quickly garnered media attention, with TMZ providing details of Cherilus’s conduct during the arrest.
Following his arrest, Cherilus was arraigned in East Boston District Court on Monday, where he was released on a $2,500 bail. The former NFL star, however, declined to answer reporters’ questions as he exited the courthouse. As part of his release conditions, Cherilus has been ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs and is required to stay away from both the alleged victim and Logan Airport, except for legitimate travel purposes. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 11, where pretrial proceedings will take place.
Cherilus’s legal troubles mark a stark contrast to his celebrated career in the NFL. The 17th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Cherilus began his professional football career with the Detroit Lions, where he played for three seasons. He later signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, a deal that made him the highest-paid right tackle in the league at that time.
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Despite his promising career, Cherilus’s time with the Colts was cut short when he was released just two years into his contract in July 2015. He then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played 28 games over two seasons before retiring from the NFL in March 2017.
Before his professional career, Cherilus was a standout lineman at Boston College, where he set a school record by starting in 51 consecutive games. His collegiate success paved the way for his entry into the NFL, where he earned a reputation as a reliable and formidable player on the offensive line.
In recent years, Cherilus has transitioned from football to entrepreneurship. In July 2023, he partnered with former Detroit Lions teammates Calvin Johnson and Rob Sims to open Primitiv Boston, a cannabis dispensary in downtown Boston. Primitiv, co-founded by Johnson and Sims in 2021, is a company focused on the potential of cannabis as a healing agent, with a mission to advance its use in promoting elevated wellness.
As Cherilus prepares for his upcoming court date, the incident on the Delta flight has cast a shadow over his post-NFL endeavors. The former athlete, once celebrated for his achievements on the field, now faces serious legal consequences that could impact his future both personally and professionally.
