Former NFL QB Robert Griffin III describes harrowing engine fire on United flight
Former Heisman-winning quarterback and NFL star Robert Griffin III was on a plane that had to make an emergency landing Friday, according to a social media video posted by the signal-caller.
Griffin, 36, posted the footage late Friday night, claiming that his United plane was flying out of Houston when the right engine "caught fire" after takeoff.
The footage depicts a United plane back at the terminal.
"We heard 15 straight loud bangs and immediately knew something was wrong," he said. "Thankfully the pilots were able to get us and every passenger back safe and sound with zero injuries.
VIDEO SHOWS WING OF UNITED AIRLINES PLANE CATCHING FIRE DURING TAKEOFF AT HOUSTON AIRPORT
"God is good."
Yep. This is why I hate flying. For years now, I've championed the "return of the road trip." I wish everyone would get on board.
It's not just the fact that I don't love being off the ground. I don't. Trust me. I hate it. But it's more just the experience in general.
I've never heard from anyone fresh off a day of flying who said, "Man, what a great day that was!" It's never happened, and it never will.
Airports are terrible. Security is terrible. You're crammed into a metal tube 30,000 feet in the sky for HOURS with people you don't know. There's almost always a delay nowadays.
Beyond a good airport bar, which I do enjoy, there is NOTHING enjoyable about flying.
Obviously, the worst part is the fact that your engine could catch fire in the middle of the sky. If I saw that from my crammed window seat, I'd faint. And there's nothing you can do about it, beyond sending a couple of prayers to the Big Guy upstairs and hope for the best. You're just powerless.
Anyway, I'm glad RGIII made it back safely. The former Baylor star won the Heisman back in 2011, and was drafted second the following season by the Washington Redskins. He was an absolute superstar his first year out of college, leading Washington to an NFC East title and earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way.
Of course, things spiraled out of control soon thereafter.
Griffin was injured in the infamous playoff game that season, tearing his ACL and LCL against the Seahawks. Although he returned the following season, he was never quite the same.
RGIII spent four seasons in Washington before playing for Cleveland and then Baltimore. He retired following the 2020 season and spent several years as an ESPN analyst before joining FOX Sports' college football team.
In a statement obtained by KHOU, United confirmed an. engine issue.
United flight 102 from Houston to Munich returned to George Bush Intercontinental Airport to address an engine issue. The flight landed safely and customers deplaned normally. We are arranging for another aircraft to take customers to their destination."