(Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Air travel can test anyone's patience, but few experiences rival being stuck on a grounded plane for hours with no end in sight.
We've all been there, so it's hard not to side with the passengers, especially when things clearly go wrong. That was the case for NFL great Benjamin Watson, a Super Bowl champion, author and philanthropist, whose ‘diabolical' travel experience drew a reply from Delta Airlines on Saturday morning.
The former first-round NFL draft pick from the University of Georgia had been in Guatemala for a vision trip with Compassion International, a Christian nonprofit organization focused on child development and poverty relief.
And according to his X account, Watson had a tough time trying to make it to Atlanta from Guatemala City early on Saturday morning.
Watson, 44, posted on X that his flight left Guatemala City two hours late, was then diverted to Savannah, Georgia, and sat on the tarmac there from 8:15 p.m. to 3 a.m. before passengers were allowed to deplane.
"7 hours sitting on an airplane on the tarmac is diabolical," Watson wrote.
7 hours sitting on an airplane on the tarmac is diabolical @delta
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) June 28, 2025
"Sat on tarmac in Savannah from 8:15pm to 3am after being diverted there from Atlanta on our flight that left two hours late from Guatemala City," he explained.
And in a reply that likely brought Watson absolutely zero peace of mind, Delta wrote:
"Thank you for reaching out to us, and I'm truly sorry to hear about your experience. We understand how frustrating travel issues can be. Please know that this conversation thread can no longer be used for formal complaints."
Thank you for reaching out to us, and I'm truly sorry to hear about your experience. We understand how frustrating travel issues can be. Please know that this conversation thread can no longer be used for formal complaints.
— Delta (@Delta) June 28, 2025
Watson, a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which recognizes players who excel both on and off the field, finished his career with 547 receptions for 6,058 yards and 44 touchdowns. He played with some greats, including quarterbacks Tom Brady and Drew Brees, during his 16 seasons in the NFL.
Since retiring from the NFL, Watson has stayed busy as a broadcaster, author and speaker. He's also worked as an analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network.
Delta Airlines Issues Apology to NFL Legend first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2025
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