Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker was apprehended at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Friday after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents discovered a handgun in his possession. The 25-year-old player was subsequently charged by Port Authority police with criminal possession of a weapon.
Walker made an appearance at Queens County Criminal Court later that day and was released, with a follow-up court date set for March. According to reports, Walker’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated that the firearm is legally licensed in Wisconsin, where Walker competes. Aidala noted that the NFL player was under the impression that he could travel with it, as it was in a locked box, and he had disclosed this information to airport personnel.
Walker has been with the Green Bay Packers since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft from Penn State. During his time with the team, he has played in 52 games under a four-year contract worth $3.74 million. Recently, he started 16 games for the Packers in the 2025 season, contributing to the team’s playoff run, although they faced elimination in the Wild Card round against the Chicago Bears.
In a related incident within the NFL, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison recently had trespassing allegations against him dropped. He had been arrested at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa earlier this month, but the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office dismissed the case after reviewing the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Addison’s attorney has expressed confidence in their assertion that Addison committed no wrongdoing, highlighting the positive resolution of the situation.
These recent incidents underline the pressures and complexities faced by professional athletes, who often navigate rigorous public scrutiny and legal challenges. As Rasheed Walker’s case unfolds, it offers an opportunity for learning within the league about the importance of understanding varying state laws and the nuances involved in traveling with firearms.