NFL player sues United over alleged assault

A National Football League player contends in a lawsuit filed Wednesday against United Airlines that he was sexually assaulted by a female passenger on a red-eye flight in February from Los Angeles International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport.

The football player and a second plaintiff did not give their names in the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The plaintiffs, both African American men, were sitting in the middle and aisle seats in the same row during United Flight 415 on Feb. 10 when a middle-aged white female passenger in the window seat made unwanted sexual advances toward them, the lawsuit said.

The football player and the other man complained several times to the flight attendants, according to the suit, which contends that United employees initially failed to intervene and that the woman became belligerent. She had turned particularly confrontational over a face mask worn by the player, who was identified as John Doe 1 and a New Jersey resident, the lawsuit said.

“While touching John Doe 1’s face, assailant grabbed John Doe 1’s penis and ripped off his face mask,” the lawsuit said.

The men are suing United Airlines for sexual assault and battery, as well as for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The suit contends that the airline refused to provide the names of the female passenger, the flight attendants and potential witnesses to lawyers for the two men.

Aspokeswoman for the airline said in an email Wednesday that the passenger involved was moved to a different seat, which the lawsuit also noted.

“The safety and well-being of our customers is always our top priority,” said the spokeswoman, Rachael L. Rivas, who declined to comment further because of the lawsuit.

Lawyers for the player and the other man did not say Wednesday why the suit was filed anonymously.

The lawsuit said that the unruly passenger had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs during the flight.