A few weeks ago, The Wiener Circle, a staple Chicago food spot in the city, made headlines when they promised free hot dogs to all patrons if Caleb Williams threw four touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. The Chicago Bears quarterback proceeded to do exactly that. It was a huge publicity boost for the restaurant. In fact, it was so successful that they decided to double down. If at any point during the rest of the season, head coach Ben Johnson took his shirt off after a game, they would again serve free hot dogs.
Johnson was asked about the bet. He smiled and didn't make any promises. One took that to mean he'd only do it if the moment felt right. Well, we finally reached it. On Black Friday, one year to the day after the Bears fired Matt Eberflus, Johnson engineered a stunning 24-15 upset of the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. It moved Chicago to 9-3, their first winning season in seven years. Johnson walked off the field with his usual stoic expression.
Once he got to the locker room, though, everything went crazy.
Ben Johnson was the right man at the right time.
People may look at that clip and think he's just a loveable goof living in the moment. That couldn't be further from the truth. Ben Johnson is a calculating individual. Everything he does is designed to have the maximum impact toward the main goal: winning games. He knew the magnitude of what the Bears had just accomplished. Beating the hell out of the defending champions in their own building is no small feat. Why downplay it? That celebration was entirely designed to let the players and fans know that this team is for real.
No more excuses. The Bears are back. They may not win the Super Bowl this year, but you'd better start respecting them.
