Every time Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson gives a pep talk, he makes everyone want to run a wall for him. Johnson has a way of rallying his players with his wit and eloquence. He could probably even convince a fish to buy land.
He likely inherited the gift from his dad, Don Johnson. The younger Johnson frequently shares wisdom from his old man, who was a high school football coach in North Carolina.
After the Bears survived the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-24, in Week 9 despite having five turnovers, the 40-year-old Johnson revealed the text message he received from his father.
“I shared this with the guys yesterday. My dad sent me a quote: ‘Only mediocre people can be at their best all the time,'” said Johnson on “First Things First.”
“When you think about it like that, all right, it was not our best night as an offense. Certainly, certain individuals weren't at their best. Shoot, I didn't have some play calls. I want some of them back. But as a team, to be able to still find a way to win, and other guys step up and fill the void, I think that's what good teams do.”
“My dad sent me a quote: ‘Only mediocre people can be at their best all the time’… As a team, to be able to still find a way to win and other guys step up and fill the void, I think that’s what good teams do.”
Bears HC Ben Johnson reacts to Bears win vs. Bucs | @DannyParkins pic.twitter.com/woLbdmNbEH
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) November 11, 2026
He stressed that the Bears set high standards, and they do not feel good when they do not meet them.
The Bears needed Cairo Santos' walk-off 38-yard field goal to beat the Buccaneers. Caleb Williams also came up big in crunch time, finding Colston Loveland for a 38-yard reception that set up Santos' game-winning kick.
Williams threw for 279 yards, two touchdowns, and a career-worst four interceptions. Chicago improved to 7-2.
The Bears will have their bye week before returning to action on November 22 against the New Orleans Saints.