Dick Vitale Slams Bears' Ben Johnson for 'Classless' Move After Win Over Packers

Vitale didn’t like what Johnson said after the Bears beat the Packers in Saturday’s wild-card playoff game.

Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur shared a very brief handshake after the Bears beat the Packers in the wild-card round of the playoffs. / Screengrab on Twitter/ @SportsCenter

As with most NFL divisional rivalry games, Saturday’s Bears-Packers playoff showdown didn’t disappoint as Chicago clinched one of its biggest wins in recent history.

For a team that hasn’t been in the postseason since 2020 and finished last in the NFC North in three of the last four years, one would expect the celebrations in the Bears’ locker room to be loud, rowdy and even borderline unhinged. Bears coach Ben Johnson exhibited all of those qualities in his profane message to his team following the 31-27 win:

“HELL YEAH!” Johnson said in a behind-the-scenes video of the Bears’ locker room festivities. “F--- THE PACKERS! F--- THEM! I F---ING HATE THOSE GUYS!”

While some might argue Johnson had earned the right to curse out his NFC North rivals after helping to orchestrate a comeback for the ages, legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale didn’t like seeing Johnson show his fiery colors following the game.

Vitale slammed Johnson for his “classless” attitude and claimed the Bears coach’s NSFW shot at the Packers was “childish.”

“Total CLASSLESS attitude in winning by BEN JOHNSON coach of the @ChicagoBears⁦⁩ in the fab comeback to beat the ⁦⁩@packers. Main theme should have been the gutty comeback not the childish F__ Packers comments,” Vitale wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Total CLASSLESS attitude in winning by BEN JOHNSON coach of the ⁦@ChicagoBears⁩ in the fab comeback to beat the ⁦@packers⁩ .Main theme should have been the gutty comeback not the childish F__ Packers comments - via @ESPN App https://t.co/oKeUkwx5mb

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 11, 2026

To each their own.

Some fans watching the game weren’t pleased with Johnson’s ultra-quick handshake with Matt LaFleur on the field, either, and believed he could have shown a bit more respect to his adversary.

Yeah. Not a good look for Ben Johnson. Great win. Be happy. Be proud. Shake the dude’s hand like an adult. https://t.co/2iR9rhmjNW

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) January 11, 2026

Ben Johnson showing no class whatsoever with his quickie post-game handshake with Matt LaFleur. Bush league move by the Bears coach after a win like that. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/UlAkLVZUyN

— Jim Moore (@cougsgo) January 11, 2026

Bush league stuff here by Ben Johnson.

Shake Matt LaFleur's hand like a man.

Disrespectful. https://t.co/IjC7MTuUgH

— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) January 11, 2026

The disdain seems genuine. https://t.co/sqWcjEy3w8

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 11, 2026

Johnson’s fly-by shake aside, you would be hard-pressed to find an NFL coach who wouldn’t throw in a few profanities after beating their division foes in a win-or-go-home playoff matchup. Johnson definitely let his emotions get the best of him after the thrilling win, but really, other than salty Packers fans, who can blame him?

The Bears will face off against either the Rams or Eagles at Soldier Field in the divisional round, hoping to reach the NFC title game for the first time since 2010.

---

More NFL on Sports Illustrated

FREE NEWSLETTER. SI BTN Newsletter. Start off your day with SI:CYMI. dark

feed