New Orleans man guilty of misdemeanor in confrontation with Chicago Bears chairman

A New Orleans Saints fan accused of pushing Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey during a game at Soldier Field last December was found guilty of misdemeanor battery on Tuesday.

Richard Kohnke, 58, of New Orleans, was convicted of the charge following a bench trial before Judge Anthony Calabrese in Cook County Circuit Court, records show. He was sentenced to six months of court supervision.

Kohnke was charged after a confrontation with McCaskey on Dec. 15, 2014, during a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field.

McCaskey found the man sitting in his seats and they had a “brief conversation,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported previously, citing a team spokesman.

After the conversation, McCaskey went to find security in the concourse level and was pushed in the back by the fan, the spokesman said.

A Bears fan came to McCaskey’s assistance and tackled the Saints fan, according to the team.

Kohnke was ejected from the stadium and arrested by police, authorities said. McCaskey did not require medical attention.

Kohnke couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday night.

A spokesman for the Bears could not be reached late Tuesday.