Former NFL defensive lineman Chris Canty aired his grievances on social media following an unpleasant day of traveling with his family.
“Do better @united…. You held me, my wife and newborn hostage on a plane scheduled to fly from Newark to Chicago for 8 hours,” Canty, 43, wrote via X on Tuesday, March 31. “Plane didn’t take off. Had to de-board twice. And now you won’t give us our luggage so we can tap out and go home.”
He added, “Where is your humanity?”
Canty and his wife, Melanie Richards, welcomed their son, Odell, in January.
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“Just DM’ed you all. We just want our luggage so I can get my 12 week old back home,” Canty wrote to United Airlines after they responded to his original post.
When a follower suggested that Canty and his family “just go home and get your luggage tomorrow,” the Super Bowl 46 champion explained that wasn’t an option.
“You can’t just ‘get the luggage tomorrow’ when you have a newborn in tow and the car seat was checked,” Canty responded.
Things eventually got sorted out after Canty blasted the airline on social media.
“I got my luggage and I’m back home so…. There’s that 🤷🏾,” he shared.
After playing college football at the University of Virginia, Canty was drafted in the 4th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
He played a total of 11 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens, winning the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2012.
Canty, who now works for ESPN, announced the arrival of his son on Unsportsmanlike in January.
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“He is fresh out, not even a week old,” Canty said. “My little man is back at home. Mom and baby are doing great. It’s the best feeling in the world being able to join the dad’s club.”
After meeting on dating app Bumble, Canty and Richards got married at the Chicago Cultural Center in July 2022.
Canty enthusiastically announced the couple was expecting their first baby together on an Unsportsmanlike episode in September 2025.
“Our trip to the south of France wasn’t just an anniversary trip, it was also a babymoon,” Canty explained to his cohosts, Evan Cohen and Michelle Smallmon. “And we were bumpin’. I mean, the bump is bumpin’ right now. She feels great. It’s been great so far. He’s active. He’s moving around in there.”
