DES PLAINES, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago man has
been charged with assaulting Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester at a
casino.
Police say Hester was in a cashier line Friday
night at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines when Daniel Rago slapped the player
in the back of the head with his hand and then walked away. The 52-year-old
Rago of Mount Prospect faces one misdemeanor count of battery after the
incident, which was captured on surveillance camera.
Police Chief Jim Prandini says Hester didn't
retaliate, calling him a "perfect gentleman" when he reported to the
casino what happened. He says Rago had been drinking and later explained he was
just trying to slap Hester's hat off.
Two days later, Hester caught a touchdown pass and
added a career-long, 98-yard kickoff return for a score that helped Chicago
beat Minnesota Vikings 39-10.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
