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FBI: Revolution staff help subdue man on flight



Craig Tornberg, general manager of the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team, shows a bottle of champagne, a gift from a flight attendant, as he describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, when a man emerged, naked, from a lavatory and had to be subdued by him and other team members, upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)




OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City Friday after a passenger stripped, put his clothes back on and then tried to open an emergency exit door before being subdued by members of the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team on board, the FBI said.

Members of the Revolution helped grab the man near an exit door and tie wraps were placed on his wrists, FBI spokesman Gary Johnson said. The man, whose name was not immediately released, was taken off the flight in Oklahoma City and was undergoing mental evaluation, Johnson said.

Three members of the Revolution staff – Michael Burns (Vice President of Player Personnel), Craig Tornberg (General Manager and Vice President of Business Development) and Gwynne Williams (Goalkeepers Coach) - along with another passenger who were all seated near the individual, immediately moved in to action to restrain the him and return him to his seat so that flight personnel could secure him with temporary handcuffs in his seat. At that time, the pilot announced that the plane would be making an emergency landing in Oklahoma City.

The trouble began when a man on the flight emerged from a bathroom without his clothes on, Johnson said.

"He was asked to go back to the bathroom to put his clothes on and he did and went back to his seat and then allegedly attempted to open an aircraft emergency exit door," Johnson said.
Player Chris Albright describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, when a man emerged, naked, from a lavatory and had to be subdued by members of the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team, after arrival at Los Angeles International Airport Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
"Members of the Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution, were on the flight. They were able to subdue him," he said.

American Flight 725, a Boeing 757, arrived in Oklahoma City at 1:35 p.m. CDT and was back in the air an hour later on the way to Los Angeles, said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines

While no Revolution players were involved in the incident with the passenger, the team was traveling 18 players to Los Angeles for its SuperLiga 2008 group play match against Chivas USA on Sunday, July 20, in Fullerton, Calif. The majority of the players were seated in the rear of the plane, away from the incident. The travel party, including all staff, was 26 people.

The Revolution play Chivas USA in a third-round SuperLiga match in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Michael Burns, vice president for player personnel for the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team, foreground, and team captain Steve Ralston, left rear, arrive from an American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles, after a man emerged, naked, from a lavatory and had to be subdued by him and other team members, at Los Angeles International Airport Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)


 



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