During Black Friday, Ben Johnson had the best deal in the city of Chicago. He went shirtless, guarantee everyone free hot dogs from Wieners Circlea popular North Side hot dog stand.
The first-year head coach did it more than 700 miles away, in Philadelphia, where his NFC North-leading Bears. defeated the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, 25-14..
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After the victory, which improved Chicago’s record to 9-3, Johnson ended his celebratory but fiery speech to his players with a fun twist.
“I know you want more, don’t you?” Johnson asked rhetorically, as shown in a video the Bears posted on X after the win. “Let me tell you something. The city of Chicago is hungry too.”
Before ripping off his shirt, Johnson added, “They’re hungry for hot dogs!”
The Bears went crazy in the visitors’ locker room at Lincoln Financial Field. They have won five straight and nine of their last 10 after starting the season 0-2.
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They had their first winning season since 2018 and only their second since 2012. Going topless in the locker room on Friday, Johnson delayed its part of the deal proposed by Wieners Circle more than a month ago: If Johnson took off his shirt during a game or a postgame speech in the locker room, the Lincoln Park hot dog stand would once again offer free hot dogs, just like he did after quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes in a win over the Dallas Cowboys in week 3.
At the end of October, Johnson was asked if he had heard of the offer.
“It was mentioned,” he said at the time, provoking laughter from journalists.
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Johnson then noted: “It’s a little worrying. Why would we want to see that?…”
A reporter jokingly added: “You don’t want people to eat, Ben?”
A beaming Johnson returned with: “I’m a man of the people, so time will tell.”
Williams, who scored a fourth-quarter touchdown Friday against the Eagles to give the Bears a two-point lead with 6:19 to play, was asked at the podium about Johnson abandoning his jersey in the locker room.
“He’s a man of the people, let’s put it that way,” Williams said with a smile after the match.
But Johnson will surely be bundled up tomorrow. Heavy snowfall is forecast in Chicago. Good thing Wieners Circle is offering these free hot dogs on Tuesday.
