Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
In a series of tweets last Friday, Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day recounted his experience of feeling sexually assaulted by TSA officers at John Wayne Airport during screening.
He described the incident as “extremely unnecessary and dehumanizing” and accused TSA officers of excessive screening procedures that left him feeling uncomfortable.
The allegations of the sexual assault Joseph-Day has garnered attention from both the NFL community and the public at large.
I’m all for people doing their job well. But it was extremely unnecessary and dehumanizing. I travel a lot, for personal and work reasons. I’ve never experienced anything like that @JohnWayneAir .
— Sebastian Joseph-Day (@SJD_51) March 24, 2023
The defensive lineman further claimed that, after he asked one of the officers to stop, three TSA agents swarmed him and told him he was the problem. Joseph-Day attempted to file a complaint afterward but found the process to be difficult.
Joseph-Day’s accusations have sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for an investigation into the matter.
#Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day claims he was sexually assaulted by TSA officers at an airport screening on Friday at John Wayne Airport.
"It was extremely unnecessary and dehumanizing." pic.twitter.com/Ga7rj8WvTG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 26, 2023
The 6’4, 310 pound defensive lineman, Sebastian Joseph-Day, joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 after playing for the other Los Angeles team, the Rams, since being drafted in the 6th round of the 2018 season. Joseph-Day has 193 career tackles, 8 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. He won the Super Bowl with the Rams in the 2021 season.
For now, Joseph-Day’s accusations have brought to light the issues of airport security and the importance of ensuring that procedures are not only effective but also respectful of passengers’ rights and dignity.