Ex-NFL player Alonzo Spellman ordered to 18 months in prison

Jet, Feb 24, 2003

Former NFL star lineman Alonzo Spellman, who was released by the Lions in 2001, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for threatening the passengers and crew on a Delta Air Lines flight last year.

With a history of psychiatric problems, Spellman was also ordered to undergo psychological counseling and will be barred from flying on commercial airlines without approval.

The sentence, ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Stewart Dalzell, was tougher than the 4-to-10 month jail term sought by prosecutors for Spellman's actions on the July 23 flight from Cincinnati to Philadelphia.

Prosecutors said the 6-foot-6, 320-pound former defensive end, who also played for Chicago and Dallas, harassed passengers, threatened a stewardess, raved about the possibility of a crash and threatened to open a cabin door during the flight.

Due to the court order, once Spellman is released from jail, he must spend three additional months in a rehabilitation center.