A former NFL player caught on video delivering a brutal beating to a United Airlines employee after allegedly being scolded for using a wheelchair to ferry his luggage was charged with assault.
Brendan Langley, a 2017 third-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos now playing for the Calgary Stampede of the Canadian football League, is seen on the video obtained by TMZ pummeling the shorter and stockier United employee, who was not identified, at Newark International Airport. The United employee takes several punches to the head, but rises gamely to continue fighting even after getting knocked behind the counter.
“United Airlines does not tolerate violence of any kind at our airports or onboard our planes and we are working with local authorities to further investigate this matter,” a United spokesperson said in a statement.
Airport Fight 👀 y’all think he deserved it?! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/Y4bB4EU6Mr
— Best Fight Videos ⚠️🔞 (@HaymakerHub) May 23, 2022
The Daily Mail reported the incident occurred May 19. Langley was arrested by Port Authority police and charged with assault, the outlet said.
Witnesses told TMZ Langley and airline employee were arguing before coming to blows in front of the check-in counter. Langley allegedly used a wheelchair to move his luggage instead a luggage cart, according to the Daily Mail.
Some witnesses said the airline employee threw the first punch, but it was not clear who the initial aggressor was from the video, which began after the fight was in progress. The video shows the employee pushing Langley, who slaps him and then begins swinging fists. The employee dodges a few punches and connects with a blow to Langley’s head before being sent reeling by a punch to the face.
As the airline employee staggers backward, Langley lunges forward and delivers another blow, sending the victim sprawling behind the counter and onto the baggage conveyor belt.
Amazingly, the dazed airline employee manages to get to his feet and stalk Langley.
“He wants more?” Langley asks in disbelief. “He wants more! … Do you want more?”
Langley is a wide receiver who played college ball at Lamar. The 6-foot, 200-pounder bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times at the NFL combine in 2017. The Broncos first played Langley at cornerback, but he later converted to wide receiver before being cut in 2019.
Airport employees eventually intervened and police showed up and arrested Langley.
Video of the fight was viewed more than 11 million times as of Monday afternoon.