Why Basketball Star Wilt Chamberlain Was Investigated By The FBI For Air Piracy And Hijacking

The NBA legend nearly landed in hot water when he had a very bad day at a Chicago airport

Former basketball superstar Wilt Chamberlain was widely known for many things throughout his notable career. A massive man who could do magical things with the basketball, he was also a self-professed prolific lover. Being such a big celebrity frequently placed him in the spotlight, but not always for good reasons. One of his most embarrassing incidents occurred in 1972 when he came to the attention of the FBI due to him being suspected of threatening to hijack an airplane.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain grew to be an incredibly athletic 7'1”, which in turn helped him become a dominant force on the basketball court. After starring at the University of Kansas, he jumped to the NBA and embarked on a remarkable 15-year career (1959–1973) as a center, during which times he set numerous records for scoring and rebounding.

His scoring ability was legendary, and he is probably best known for his historic 100-point game in 1962 while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors; a feat that remains unchallenged in NBA history.

During his career, he averaged an incredible 30.1 points per game and 22.9 rebounds per game. His impact on the court was not limited to scoring, as he was also a formidable defender and a skilled passer.

Chamberlain won two NBA championships and four MVP awards, solidifying his status as an all-time basketball legend. He was an easy selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979, and remained a generally beloved public figure until his death in 1999.

Unfortunately, the dominant athlete was having a bad day on December 13, 1972 while flying through Chicago as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers during his final season as a player. Faced with lengthy delays (he and his teammates sat on board the plane on the runway for nearly two hours before the flight was formally canceled) and more strenuous security checks than usual, he voiced his displeasure to airline staff in an extreme and inappropriate way. Witnesses claimed that he was so upset that he exploded: “I may take over the plane. I am just so mad I may shoot somebody!”

Although it was quickly determined that instead of a violent hijacker, he was merely a very annoyed, if not entitled celebrity, that wasn’t the end of it. Confronted by TWA staff in the jetway, he became enraged and refuted their accusations vigorously, telling them:

“Bullshi*t. I never said that. It is your word against mine. I said, ‘I might shoot somebody,” because of the delay, ‘I am tired of this bullsh*t.’ I got this kind of bullsh*t all through my life. If you are going to do something, do it now, Mr. Federal officer.”

With that, Chamberlain left the area and found another flight with a different airline. He wasn’t arrested, but his actions caused the matter to be referred to the Chicago District Attorney for possible prosecution, and also was brought to the attention of the FBI. The inquiry into his statements became part of what would be a 48-page file the agency kept on the superstar basketball player.

The airport confrontation didn’t seem to phase the star too much, as he made it to his destination of Philadelphia. That evening, he and his teammates whipped the home Philadelphia 76ers by 38 points, as he contributed 14 points, 15 rebounds and 15 blocked shots.

Chamberlain, who was in his final season as a player, downplayed his outburst in Chicago, explaining that there was a perfectly good reason why he would never do anything as nefarious as hijacking an airplane or air piracy:

“I’m for law and order. Man, I voted for Nixon in 1968.”