ESPN’s Chris Russo Says Police Were Called on Him at Heathrow Airport

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo returned to ESPN after a father-son golf trip to Scotland with a lot to get off his chest.

Russo, 65, appeared on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday, July 16, where he detailed the travel nightmare he experienced while on the road with his son Tim Russo, an assistant men’s basketball coach at Northern Arizona University. 

“My son flew from Phoenix to Dallas, all the way to London,” Chris explained. “He had two bags. He had to go to Inverness, an hour-and-a-half south of Dornoch.”

While Tim’s clothes made it to Scotland, his golf clubs somehow got left behind at London’s Heathrow Airport, where his father was still trailing behind. 

“I’m at Heathrow waiting for my connection,” Chris continued. “He texts me, ‘Dad, my golf clubs didn’t make it.’ We’re playing Saturday morning! This is Friday afternoon.”

Chris said it took him “two-and-a-half hours” to locate his son’s golf clubs, which had been left behind at Heathrow. 

“I put Timmy on FaceTime,” Chris recalled after locating the clubs. “[I said], ‘Timmy, will you tell the people here that the golf clubs are yours and your father who paid for them wants to take them out of the airport so I can get you your clubs the next day?’ They wouldn’t let me take the clubs out of Heathrow!”

He continued, “Timmy’s clubs had to stay in Heathrow overnight and he didn’t have his golf clubs on Saturday because British Airways couldn’t find them and wouldn’t give them to his father to take the clubs up.”

Chris was told he was not allowed to take the golf clubs out of the airport on behalf of his son due to “protocol.”

“I am not interested in protocol!” Chris yelled. “I am interested in a five iron! I am not interested in that.”

The chaotic scene escalated so far that cops were brought in. 

“They called the police on me,” Chris said. “I’m a loud American! [They said], ‘We’re going to get the authorities.’ I don’t give a crap about authorities! Get the golf clubs where they’re supposed to be!”

Chris told his First Take cohosts that he “almost” got arrested.

“The cops came,” Chris explained. “I said, ‘I’ll be OK. Calm down.’”

Despite the snafu, the ESPN host and his son made it to Scotland for the golf trip, which Chris showed off with a series of photos via Instagram.