The head coach of the Chicago Bears has divided opinion after a fiery exchange with a reporter at half-time
Ben Johnson came under fire for his interaction with CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala during the break in Sunday's game.
With the Bears trailing 14-9 against the Las Vegas Raiders at half-time, Johnson stopped for an interview as his players returned to the field.
Kinkhabwala started the conversation by saying 'your offense has struggled', to which Johnson replied, 'they haven't done anything, you're right'. She followed by asking what he had told his players in the changing room to get them playing.
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He said: "That it wasn't our brand of football, we're capable of a lot more and so we're hitting the reset button here at half-time and we're going to come back and we're going to establish our identity here in the second half.
Kinkhabwala continued: "So you need to change what you're doing?"
Johnson snapped back: "I don't know, do you think so? We're going to be just fine."
The Bears recovered from their disappointing first half to edge past the Raiders 25-24, after surviving a last-minute field goal attempt.
It was key victory for the Bears and a relief for their fans after a late collapse against the Minnesota Vikings earlier in the season.
"I'm proud of our guys," Johnson said after the game.
"They came through for us. We're building something special here, and I think they're feeling it, just the belief they have in each other, the belief they have in this coaching staff, I thought it really showed through."
How did fans react to Ben Johnson's interview?
Despite the dramatic win,, it was the coach's comments that became the major talking point on social media.
One fan, @jublin wrote: "She clearly said 'DO you need to change what your doing?'
"Maybe coach misheard and thought she was just being a big bully?? Very weird."
Another, @Ackattackack added: "Ben's got to work on this part of his craft.
"Still happy with him overall."
Others jumped to Johnson's defence, arguing the reporter's style was to blame.
"All fair here," wrote @BTFDclothingCO. "Reporter says something stupid, coach responds intensely without crossing a line. Not as big of a story as the comment section would have you believe."
Some fans even suggested the problem is more with half-time interviews in general. @mikeoldani2 said: "Enough with halftime sideline reports.
"Nobody cares, it’s the same interview every time, they’re not going to divulge anything significant.
"Also…they’d probably like to get to work at 'changing what they’re doing' than being baited by someone they’ve probably never met."
Topics: NFL
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