FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Authorities at Pittsburgh International Airport filed an incident report after New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes failed to follow flight regulations by not turning off his iPod as the plane he was on was landing.
Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said Friday the team was told Holmes was flying from Newark Liberty International Airport to Pittsburgh on Thursday night. He added that the report was filed with the Allegheny County Police Department after Holmes' flight landed.
Holmes got off the plane and police officers reminded him of complying with flight regulations, but the wide receiver was not charged with anything.
Allegheny County police said in a statement that Holmes was not removed from the flight, contrary to some published reports.
"He was asked to remove his iPod (at one point), in which he complied," the statement said.
Coach Rex Ryan downplayed the incident, saying it "kind of got blown out of proportion, it sounds like, in some of the media outlets." He added that he hadn't heard all the facts.
"I mean, OK, let's face it, he should turn off his iPod," Ryan said. "That's what he should do. I mean, he should do that. I haven't had a chance to talk to Santonio, but he certainly should do that."
Ryan said Holmes was on another flight to Las Vegas on Friday with some of his Jets teammates, who were going to watch the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Shane Mosley fight on Saturday night.
"Thanks for the support but some people just want to make their name blow up!" Holmes said on his Twitter page Friday afternoon. "Well congratulations!"
The troubled but talented Holmes was traded by the Steelers to the Jets on April 11 for a fifth-round draft pick. Last week, he acknowledged taking missteps during his four-season Steelers career, but said in a message on his website he is looking forward to a "clean start" with his new team.
Ryan said he has been happy with Holmes so far, complimenting his work in classroom sessions and the weight room.
Holmes won't make his Jets regular-season debut until Week 5 of the regular season after the NFL suspended him without pay for the first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The 2009 Super Bowl MVP was held out for one game by the Steelers in 2008 after police said they detected marijuana in his car. He was recently sued by a woman in Florida, who said he threw a glass at her in a nightclub — a witness has since taken responsibility for that.
Holmes was also involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were later dismissed. He was recently accused of telling a fan to "kill urself" on his Twitter page, but implied that his account was hacked.
Holmes is coming off his best season, with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns, but his troubles off the field could explain the relatively low price the Jets paid to get him.
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Associated Press Writer Joe Mandak in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.
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