Altercation between former Bears LB Otis Wilson and Soldier Field security is under investigation

Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune on Oct 6, 2026

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after former Chicago Bears linebacker Otis Wilson got into an altercation with security at Soldier Field following Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, according to authorities and media reports.

In a statement to the Chicago Tribune, Monterrey Security — which provides security at all stadium events, according to Soldier Field’s website — said the alleged incident unfolded after “a patron who had been in a suite on the same level as the press box attempted to use the elevator designated for media following the conclusion of the game.”

Per NFL policy, that elevator is held at the end of games to allow working members of the press to move quickly from the press box to the field, Monterrey Security said.

The male patron, the statement went on, “forced his way onto the elevator” after he was “politely informed by a female officer that the elevator was not available for public use and was directed to use the other public elevators directly adjacent.” He was not wearing credentials and did not identify himself, Monterrey Security said. The altercation ensued shortly after.

“When the female officer directed the offender to leave the elevator, he became physically combative and attacked her,” the statement read. “The offender aggressively threw the female officer into a wall using both arms.”

The officer’s male partner then intervened, Monterrey Security said.

“(He) separated the offender from the female officer,” the company said, “and brought the violent incident to an end.”

The altercation left a hole in the press box wall near the elevator.

Monterrey Security declined to identify the patron or the security officers involved, citing company policy, but Wilson addressed the situation in a statement to ESPN. He told the outlet that he and his wife entered an elevator with media personnel to leave Soldier Field and that before he could identify himself as a former Bears player and explain why they were there, they were both “assaulted by private security personnel.”

Wilson, 69, also told ESPN that he was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for evaluation and released Sunday night.

Attempts by the Tribune to reach Wilson for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Monterrey Security, in its statement, said the female officer involved was transported to the hospital after sustaining “substantial bruising and injuries to her ribs and arms.” The company said the female officer, whom it described as a “5-foot-4, off-duty law enforcement officer,” has led press box security at Soldier Field since 2024.

In response to questions about the altercation, Chicago police said officers “responded and took a report for an incident that occurred” at 1410 Special Olympics Drive.

Police said area detectives are investigating but no further information was available. There were no updates in the case as of Tuesday afternoon, per police.

A spokesperson for Legends Global, which manages Soldier Field, said the stadium is not commenting on the incident because CPD is investigating. The spokesperson directed the Tribune to police and Monterrey Security for further comment.

In his statement to ESPN, Wilson assured that his “relationship with the Chicago Bears and with this city’s fans remains as strong as ever” and that the incident doesn’t reflect on the organization or the people of Chicago, but rather it “reflects the conduct of specific individuals working for a private contractor.” Wilson told the outlet he’s requesting a full and transparent investigation.

Monterrey Security, in its statement, said the company “will continue to provide all details, including witness statements, videos and other evidence, to the proper authorities for a thorough investigation.”