Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears are coming off a win over NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers in the NFL wild-card game with a 31-27 win at home. Now, on Sunday, January 18, the Bears will take on Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at home in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Bears’ game against the Packers was a thrilling one, with Chicago coming back from a 21-3 deficit at halftime to secure a win and advance to the next round. Now, if the Chicago Bears take down the Rams, they’ll advance once again, this time to the NFC championship game, and from there, you know what happens.
“Watching the tape, it’s just credit to them for being able to [overcome] a 21-3 deficit there at halftime,” Johnson told reporters after the win over the Packers. “Defense bowing up in the second half, only allowing six points, and then offense slowly chipping away and finding a way there, last three possessions to score touchdowns.”
He added, “And the veteran leadership showed up as well, particularly at halftime. No one was panicking or anything like that. There’s a belief with this team that shows up each and every week. It’s kind of who we are here at this point.”
While most of what came out of the Bears and Packers game was good, one Chicago Bears player is getting handed a punishment from the NFL for his actions in the game, and that’s not a good thing.
Chicago Bears Player Punished By the NFL
Each and every week during the season, the NFL gives punishments to players for actions that took place during the previous week’s games. The NFL states on their official website that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.”
Before the season starts each year, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that result in these accountability measures.
On Saturday, January 17, the NFL announced that they’re punishing Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker for his actions in the Green Bay Packers game. The league is fining him $46,371 for “unnecessary roughness” and “use of the helmet” at the 9:40 mark in the second quarter of the game. The incident was against Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
A Bright Side to the Punishment
That’s a lot of bag, but the funds raised from gameday accountability fines go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.” So, it’s a solid cause.
If he wants to appeal the fine, according to the NFL, “Cases are heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding.”
The good news is that that Booker isn’t getting suspended for his actions, so he’ll be available to appear in the team’s game against the Rams in the playoffs.
NFL Announces Punishment Decision for Bears Player’s Jordan Love Hit