ESPN’s Dick Vitale Condemns Bears Coach Ben Johnson’s Profane Post-Playoff Outburst
CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Bears’ thrilling 31-27 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round on January 10, 2026, was overshadowed by a controversial moment involving head coach Ben Johnson. Following the win, Johnson’s profane locker room outburst ignited a wave of criticism from sports commentators, most notably ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale.
As cameras captured the postgame celebration, Johnson was heard emphatically telling his team, “F— the Packers! F— them! F—ing hate those guys.” The explicit language quickly went viral, sparking debate about sportsmanship and professionalism in high-stakes moments. Vitale, a revered figure in sports broadcasting, publicly condemned the coach’s remarks on the social media platform X, calling the behavior “total CLASSLESS attitude in winning by BEN JOHNSON coach of the @ChicagoBears in the fab comeback to beat the @packers.”
Vitale emphasized that the focus should have been on the Bears’ gritty comeback rather than the “childish F__ Packers comments.” The rivalry between the Bears and Packers is one of the NFL’s most storied and intense, but Vitale’s reaction underscores concerns about maintaining respect even amid fierce competition.
Johnson, who is in his first year as the Bears’ head coach, has never shied away from expressing his disdain for Green Bay. Upon joining Chicago, he remarked that he “kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” a statement that added fuel to the longstanding rivalry. The tension between the two teams was palpable throughout the season, culminating in a playoff series where Chicago went 1-1 against Green Bay in the regular season before clinching the crucial victory in the Wild Card round.
Despite the controversy, Johnson praised his players’ resilience after overcoming a halftime deficit of 21-3 and two prior losses. “This team is built for pressure,” he said, highlighting the Bears’ determination and grit.
The Bears now advance to face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round, with expectations high for the team’s postseason run. Meanwhile, the debate over Johnson’s locker room language continues to resonate across the sports community.
For more on NFL playoff coverage, visit the official NFL website. To explore sportsmanship guidelines and conduct policies, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency offers resources on athlete and coach behavior. For historical context on the Bears-Packers rivalry, the Pro Football Hall of Fame provides extensive archives. Fans and analysts can follow updates on the Bears’ postseason journey via the ESPN NFL section.
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