Fed Up

On December 13, 1972, Wilt Chamberlain's Lakers were scheduled to fly from Chicago to Philadelphia on TWA. After the flight was delayed for an hour and 45 minutes, then canceled, the team was booked for a later departure, at which point Chamberlain lost his cool. The following is from the FBI's report on the incident as it appears on thesmokinggun.com.

As TWA Flight Two Three Eight passengers, including Chamberlain and Lakers...were given a routine security screening by U.S. Customs...security officers...three of these security officers heard Chamberlain remark, "I may take over the plane. I am just so mad I may shoot somebody." Customs security officers, aware of fact Chamberlain prominent basketball star and was irritated at delay in departure, verified he had no weapon and was no potential hijacker, and called supervisor for instructions. Chamberlain and other Lakers proceeded on board flight....

TWA passenger service rep on scene advised, and with security officers, requested Chamberlain and [Lakers coach Bill Sharman] to step off plane into jetway in order that Chamberlain might merely be cautioned about remark. TWA rep felt Chamberlain should be apprised of seriousness of such remarks since there might be other passengers hearing it who were not aware of fact he was important basketball star, and that [these] passengers might be frightened.

When Chamberlain confronted in jetway between terminal and aircraft, he responded, "Bullshit. I never said that. It is your word against mine. I said I might shoot somebody," because of delay. "I am tired of this bullshit. I got this kind of bullshit all through my life. If you are going to do something, do it now, Mr. Federal Officer" to customs security....

Chamberlain returned to aircraft, retrieved luggage, and then departed. TWA attempted to explain were not challenging his boarding aircraft and anxious to have Chamberlain fly TWA. Chamberlain responded, "I am not going to fly your (obscene) airline. I have had enough bullshit," and left area. Chamberlain subsequently flew to Philadelphia on December thirteen last via United Airlines.