The enduring rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers is well recognized by first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Besides leading the team to its first playoff victory in over ten years, Johnson took special pride in defeating the Packers to achieve that milestone.
In a viral locker room video after the game, where he repeatedly said “F*** the Packers,” Johnson emphasized his understanding and eagerness to embrace the rivalry further.
“There’s a rivalry that exists between these two teams, something that I fully recognize and I’m a part of,” Johnson said via ESPN. “And, yeah, I just, I don’t like that team. So George and I have talked, and we’re on the same page.”
Johnson’s attitude towards the rivalry has influenced his players, who celebrated the moment of defeating Green Bay in the playoffs.
“It was definitely a turned-up moment,” linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “You could just see the energy in the locker room. Everybody was like, ‘OK, Ben got a little swag about himself.’ Know what I mean? We all put a lot into this. To be able to act off your true emotions and your true personality, I think that’s what it was for him.
“I don’t know if he’s had regrets about it, but I know the fans loved, I know everything about this rivalry that we been talking about, it goes so far back. You know there’s a lot of emotion built up into it and any time that you can win in that fashion, you’ve got to show a little bit of emotion for sure.”
Beyond the rivalry, Johnson has initiated a culture change in the Bears that has been needed for a long time. Chicago is now positioned to develop something special, potentially starting with their playoff win against the Packers.
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