delta, the bears, and in-flight safety
 

From the "I wouldn't believe it unless I knew him" department:

My good friend 'Art' was recently returning from visiting me in So. Cal., homeward bound to Phil. The following is the excerpt from his travel description:

So last Tuesday when I flew back from LA, I had a short layover in Cincinnati. When I got on the plane to Philly, I was seated (sort of - actually was squeezed in with barely room to breathe) next to Alonzo Spellman, a former NFL lineman (Chicago Bears and then Detroit). He was chanting and praying, and generally going nuts in increasing volume from the start of the flight on. I got up as soon as I could - amazingly, they took off even though the elbow rest between seats was up and neither he nor I were wearing seatbelts (he was sitting on mine) - and then stood for the whole flight in the back of the plane. After the captain announced that Spellman was disrupting the flight and we would make an 'expediated' landing, I had to sit in the bathroom (there were literally no free seats, and I wasn't about to sit next to him again - he was cursing and screaming in the meantime).

Apparently he had skipped out on a warrant in Michigan, but had no trouble getting on the flight.
Today, I got a phone call from the FBI. Turns out that after Alonzo disrupted the flight, the Philly cops let him go (never even arrested him - nobody wanted to tangle with him, I guess), he went to New Jersey and tore up his brother-in-law's apartment/house. It took 6 New Jersey cops to bring him down and arrest him. The FBI was really interested in my story a bout how he acted on the ground, even before take-off. Hope I don't have to end up testifying in court. The saga will continue, since they are investigating not only Spellman, but now also the Philly police and Delta.

Great story!
I think some of Ditka's antics must have rubbed off on Spellman! Haha http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Actually, Spellman was a little bit off from day one. He is a VERY imposing figure, or at least he was during his Ohio State days and the beginning of his career with the Bears. I had a few short personal interactions with him during Bears training camps. He was always reserved and gave off a weird vibe. Hopefully he will receive treatment and be able to overcome his illness.

His antics are well-documented. Here are some links:
The Kids He Left Behind
Kids...Part II
Ex-Lion ends odyssey in arrest
Spellman Terrorizes Flight

Wow. The AP version of the story (http://www.insidecowboys.com/1998/2002/cowboys/alonzo0803.html) specifically mentions "One male passenger seated next to Spellman fled to another part of the plane and refused to return, authorities said." Didn't realize he'd have to run off to the restroom!

cnk