📰 NEWS FLASH: Ben Johnson addresses the internet frenzy sparked by his shirtless postgame pep talk to the Bears ⚡. DH
The first-year head coach also fed the city of Chicago by doing so.
Heading into Week 14, first-year head coach Ben Johnson is leading the No. 1 seed in the NFC in the 9–3 Bears.
Just like everyone thought would happen. O.K., maybe not so much.
Chicago’s most recent triumph was an impressive 24–15 victory over the defending champion Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday. To celebrate the big win, Johnson ripped his shirt off in the locker room while giving a rousing postgame speech to the team.
“My wife was just laughing, that’s about it,” Johnson said Monday of his family’s reaction to the now-viral clip. “My 2-year-old was watching the TV screen back and home and she’s like, ‘No shirt, no shirt!’ She’s pointing to the screen, ‘No shirt!’ My wife had no idea what was going on. That’s really about how that went.”
The reason behind Ben Johnson’s shirtless speech
Speculation began days in advance that Johnson would have his viral bare-chested moment. Back in late October, The Wieners Circle—a popular hot dog vendor in Chicago—posted to X that they would give away free hot dogs if Johnson goes “topless” in a locker room speech.
Johnson confirmed he was aware of the post in a press conference back on Oct. 24. The Bears have won five games since those first comments, but coach ultimately decided a win over the defending Super Bowl champs was the right moment to do so.
“That was a spur-of-the-moment deal, I guess,” Johnson said Monday. “I figured the sooner, the better because I’m not in the weight room very much anymore. … I hate to draw attention from our players, but the intent was to bring up the city of Chicago. Hopefully it gave them a little excitement. They’re a big part of this journey.
“… I think any time you get to feed a city, you want to do it. A man of the people.”
The city of Chicago will enjoy free hot dogs Tuesday at The Wieners Circle.
