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Former Kentucky Wildcats point guard Marquis Teague is part of one of the oddest holiday stories you’ll see.
It happened when Teague was traveling with the Memphis Hustle on Christmas Eve. Teague and his G-League squad were flying with American Airlines when he and his teammate, Trahson Burrell, were escorted off the flight after being accused of stealing blankets from the airline, according to The Undefeated.
After being given blankets upon entering the aircraft, a flight attendant accused Teague and Burrell of stealing the blankets once being seated. Teague, Burrell and Hustle assistant coach were not allowed back on the plane and flew on a later flight in first class.
However, this mishap forced these three Hustle members to miss the team holiday dinner.
.@AmericanAir apologized to UK alum Marquis Teague after he was kicked off a flight at DFW Airport on Christmas Eve following an accusation he stole a blanket from the first class cabin https://t.co/n5cSu69NxL @dallasnews
— Aaron Kall (@AaronsUKBBBlog) December 26, 2017
Really @americanairlnes? First class passenger gives 2 minority basketball players Memphis Hustle guard #MarquisTeague & forward #TrahsonBurrell blankets to use in coach class- U accuse them of stealing? I wonder why? Another reason not to fly #americanairlines https://t.co/jK1mdhZgwt
— Linda Kenney Baden (@kenneybaden) December 26, 2017
American Airlines apologized after the incident occurred, but still, this kind of situation hurts the reputation of the airline.
Teague did not have the most Merry Christmas, to say the least. He did, however, score 11 points in the Hustle’s Christmas Day victory over the Sioux Fall Skyforce.
Teague played one year at Kentucky before declaring for the NBA draft. He averaged 10.0 points and 4.9 assists per game and led the Wildcats to a national championship in 2012.