TRZ Ad
2025NFL

United Airlines Plane Carrying Robert Griffin Jr. Endures Terrifying Emergency After Engine Caught Fire — Caused “15 Straight Loud Bangs” [VIDEO]

5

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Former NFL Quarterback Recalls Terrifying Plane Emergency After Engine Caught Fire
United Airlines flight that faced the issue (Photo Via X)

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has shared details of a scary flight emergency after an engine on his United Airlines plane caught fire shortly after taking off from Houston.

Griffin wrote about the incident on X and described the tense moments from inside the aircraft. The former Heisman Trophy winner said he sat near the right engine when the problem started.

“The right engine of our plane flying out of Houston caught fire just after take off,” Griffin wrote. “We heard 15 straight loud bangs and immediately knew something was wrong.”

He also shared a short video from the airport after the plane landed safely. The clip showed workers inspecting the aircraft’s right engine while passengers waited inside the terminal.

Griffin praised the flight crew for staying calm and acting quickly during the emergency. He said the pilots safely returned the plane to Houston and that everyone on board got off without any injuries.

“Thankfully the pilots were able to get us and every passenger back safe and sound with zero injuries,” Griffin wrote. “God is good.”

Flight Returns Safely To Houston

Robert Griffin III Levels Up With Significant Step In NFL Broadcasting Career
Robert Griffin III (Photo By Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

United Airlines confirmed the incident and said the plane safely returned to Houston after the crew noticed a problem with one of the engines.

The Boeing 777-200ER was carrying 267 passengers and 13 crew members. It had been heading to Munich, Germany, before the pilots decided to turn back because of the emergency.

According to United, the aircraft landed safely, and passengers left the plane without problems. The airline also arranged a replacement aircraft to continue the trip to Germany.

After Griffin posted this incident. Many followers reacted with relief after learning that everyone escaped unharmed and others also expressed surprise that the former NFL star traveled on a commercial flight.

One fan replied, “I’m honestly surprised you don’t fly private.”

Griffin spent nine seasons in the NFL and earned roughly $33 million in salary during his career. He currently works as an NFL analyst and hosts a podcast.

It is not clear why Griffin was traveling to Munich. Some people on social media guessed that he might have been heading to a flag football event in Germany.

Griffin has previously talked about wanting to play for the United States when flag football makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and was selected in the National squad. However, he later said he was no longer pursuing those plans.

Teams