Ben Johnson was slammed by Dick Vitale for a ‘classless’ outburst after the Bears’ playoff win over the Packers.
Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale has hit out at Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, labelling his post-game outburst “classless” after the Bears’ dramatic 31–27 playoff win over the Green Bay Packers.
The victory ended a 15-year playoff win drought for the Bears and was one of the club’s most significant results in recent memory.
But Johnson’s comments soon overshadowed the on-field achievement, becoming the main talking point in the aftermath.
Dick Vitale calls Ben Johnson’s reaction ‘childish’ after viral locker-room video
Ben Johnson’s animated celebration in the Bears locker room — which included a string of expletives aimed at Chicago’s oldest rivals — quickly went viral, sparking debate over sportsmanship and the boundaries of passionate rivalry.
“HELL YEAH! F— THE PACKERS! F— THEM! I F—ING HATE THOSE GUYS!”
Dick Vitale, one of ESPN’s longest-serving personalities, condemned Johnson’s behaviour in a post on X.
“Total CLASSLESS attitude in winning by BEN JOHNSON, coach of the Chicago Bears, in the fab comeback to beat the Packers. Main theme should have been the gutty comeback, not the childish F— Packers comments.”
Ben Johnson’s passion divides fans after Chicago Bears win
Despite the backlash, many Chicago Bears fans defended Ben Johnson, saying his reaction reflected the intensity of the rivalry and the significance of the victory.
Some fans pointed out that few coaches would hold back after knocking a divisional rival out of the playoffs.
The win set up a divisional-round clash at Soldier Field against either the Rams or the Eagles, as the Bears chase their first NFC title game appearance since 2010.
While Johnson’s comments may have crossed a line for some, his players reportedly embraced the moment as a sign of unity and belief in the new era he is building in Chicago.
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