Wieners Circle promises free hot dogs after Ben Johnson rips off his shirt following Bears win

Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune on Nov 28, 2025

Published in Football

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PHILADELPHIA — Get ready for more free hot dogs, Chicago. Ben Johnson delivered.

During his signature “Good, Better, Best” postgame celebration with his team in the locker room Friday, the Bears coach ripped off his shirt and flexed in front of everybody — much to the delight of the players cheering him on.

It was an emphatic ending to an afternoon that sent a statement to the NFL: The Bears just might be for real.

The Bears beat the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 24-15, at Lincoln Financial Field to improve to 9-3, their best start since 2010.

After Johnson’s shirtless celebration, The Wieners Circle on the North Side said it once again will be giving out free hot dogs Tuesday.

In September, the popular hot dog stand on North Clark Street promised free hot dogs if quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes in the Bears’ upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys. Williams delivered with a four-touchdown performance and a win over the Cowboys.

The Wieners Circle stood by its commitment and handed out free hot dogs, with a line winding out the door and around the corner.

In the aftermath, The Wieners Circle put up another challenge on social media, stating that if Johnson took off his shirt during or after any Bears victory this year, it once again would mean free hot dogs for Chicago.

Johnson acknowledged more than a month ago that he was aware of The Wieners Circle’s proclamation.

“That’s been mentioned,” he said during a late October media session. “It’s a little disturbing. Why would we want to see that?”

A reporter followed up and asked if he wanted to feed the people of Chicago.

“I’m a man of the people,” Johnson said then. “So time will tell.”

Despite win after win in recent weeks — the Bears have won nine of their last 10 games — Johnson’s shirt remained stubbornly on during all postgame celebrations.

Until Friday.