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New England Soccer Team Subdues Passenger

He stripped naked on Boston-LA flight

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 19, 2008 2:56 PM CDT
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(AP) – An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City on Friday after a passenger stripped nude and later tried to open an emergency exit door before being subdued by members of a professional soccer team and others, the FBI said. Members of the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer were among those who grabbed the passenger near an exit door, the AP reports.

Tie wraps were placed on the man, whose name was not immediately released. He was taken into custody in Oklahoma City and placed under psychiatric evaluation, Johnson said. Craig Tornberg, the soccer team's general manager, said he confronted the man as soon as he saw him emerge naked from one of the plane's restrooms. "I said he should get back into the bathroom and put on his clothes," Tornberg said.

Michael Burns, an exec for the New England Revolution, and team captain Steve Ralston, left rear, arrive in Los Angeles on Friday, July 18, 2008.
Michael Burns, an exec for the New England Revolution, and team captain Steve Ralston, left rear, arrive in Los Angeles on Friday, July 18, 2008.   (Reed Saxon)
Craig Tornberg, general manager of an MLS soccer team, shows a bottle of champagne from a flight attendant, as he describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, Friday, July 18, 2008.
Craig Tornberg, general manager of an MLS soccer team, shows a bottle of champagne from a flight attendant, as he describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, Friday, July 18, 2008.   (Reed Saxon)
Player Chris Albright describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, on July 18, 2008.
Player Chris Albright describes the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, on July 18, 2008.   (Reed Saxon)
Gillian Callaghan and her son Evan, 12, describe the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, on Friday, July 18, 2008.
Gillian Callaghan and her son Evan, 12, describe the scene aboard an American Airlines flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles, on Friday, July 18, 2008.   (Reed Saxon)
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US • Sports

 
flight • Boston • New England • airline passengers • airplane

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