Former Bears star Otis Wilson involved in physical altercation with Soldier Field security after team's win over Jets
· Yahoo Sports
Former Chicago Bears star Otis Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the organization, was involved in an altercation with security officers at Soldier Field on Sunday at the end of the team's 23-12 win over the New York Jets.
The altercation resulted in both Wilson and a female security officer being transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Police have launched an investigation into the matter, too.
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The incident was apparently seen by several reporters who were covering the game at Soldier Field. Wilson and his wife, Tina, boarded an elevator near the press box that is intended for media use only, according to ESPN. Wilson and his wife were the last to enter the elevator after a group of credentialed reporters, and the two were soon asked to leave by a female security officer, per the report. When Wilson didn't respond, the officer told him that the elevator wouldn't move until they got off.
Wilson reportedly did not move, and simply said, "OK then." The female security officer then reportedly entered the elevator to physically pull Tina off the elevator. Tina walked off, and the officer came back with a male security officer to remove Wilson.
Once Wilson stepped off the elevator, the doors closed briefly. ESPN "heard the sound of a forceful impact behind the doors," and the female security officer was seen laying on the ground next to the wall when they reopened.
Monterrey Security, the company that provides security on Bears game days at Soldier Field, said that Wilson was not wearing credentials at the time and that he "forced his way" onto the elevator and became "physically combative and violently attacked" the female officer. The company said he "aggressively" threw her into a wall, leaving a "large hole" in it.
The woman has worked at Soldier Field since 2024, and suffered "substantial bruising and injuries to her ribs and arms."
No other physical altercations took place after that, and things soon calmed down. Wilson said he was transported to a local hospital, and was released that night.
Wilson said in a statement to ESPN that, before he could identify himself, "a security guard approached us and the guard physically assaulted my wife."
Wilson spent eight seasons playing for the Bears, who selected him with the No. 19 overall pick in 1980. The former linebacker was a key piece on their 1985 team that won the Super Bowl. He has been attending Bears games regularly since he retired, and he was working for the Bears as a team ambassador on Sunday.
"No one, whether a former player, a season ticket holder, or a first-time visitor, should ever be subjected to this kind of treatment at a public venue," Wilson said in a statement, in part. "A misunderstanding about access to an area should never escalate to physical violence, least of all against a woman who posed no threat to anyone.
"Soldier Field has been part of my life for many years, and my relationship with the Chicago Bears and with this city's fans remains as strong as ever. This incident does not reflect the Bears organization or the people of Chicago. It reflects the conduct of specific individuals working for a private contractor, and that conduct must be addressed."