After the Chicago Bears put up a measly nine points in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders following multiple takeaways from their defense, it was easy for fans to be frustrated. Head coach Ben Johnson was frustrated, too, as evidenced by his halftime interview.
The interview with CBS Sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala ended up going viral for one reason or another, but the big hangup from fans was when she asked Johnson if he was going to change what he was doing. To some fans, she was implying that what Johnson had been doing wasn't working, which made those same fans jump to conclusions.
When Johnson stared into her eyes and affirmed, "We're going to be just fine," some took that as a sign of Johnson being annoyed with her phrasing. In fact, former NFL coach John Gruden took it upon himself to agree with that notion.
Jon Gruden says he would've slammed the mic mid-interview if he was Ben Johnson
In a spot on Wake Up Barstool, Gruden joined Dave Portnoy who asked the coach whose side he was on after watching this viral interview.
"I'm always on the coach's side. I've been the first to say I hate those interviews," he said.
"For Ben Johnson not to take that microphone and slam it on the ground is a real credit to him.
Some of these broadcast teams should think clearer, 'what do we want to ask the coach? And what do we really think the coach is going to say?'"
It isn't too hard to see this from both perspectives, but Gruden clearly wouldn't have appreciated the question in the moment if he were Johnson. Take it however you want, but in the end, Kinkhabwala was doing her job.
And, for what it's worth, she's been a mainstay in the NFL media for a long time now. Gruden has every right to be fired up, but truthfully, I doubt Johnson was as offended as everyone else was with him.
Johnson has been as professional and straightforward as a coach could be, thus far, and in the heat of the moment, he was frustrated coming off a half where his team continued to beat themselves.
Was there any ill intent from Kinkhabwala? Personally, I don't think so. But leave it to Gruden to make it personal, I guess.
The interview went viral for a reason, so it's not surprising to see him not only commenting on it but also getting a little red in the face while doing so.
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Kudos to Johnson for keeping it professional and not making a big deal out of it like everybody else.