Bears QB Caleb Williams Forced to Change Phone Number After Ben Johnson Prank
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was forced to change his phone number after a prankster reached out last week and identified himself falsely as Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
A Prank Gone Wrong
Williams received a text that looked “so official” from someone claiming to be Johnson, one of the Bears’ 20-plus head coaching candidates, claiming he was going to take the Bears job and wanting to chat. Williams thought it might be him, knowing his interview with the Bears was scheduled around that time. He reached out to Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, a fellow USC alum, for Johnson’s number in order to cross-check that the number was correct.
“I wasn’t going to save his number, because he’s not our coach,” Williams told the St. Brown Podcast, hosted by Amon-Ra and brother Equanimeous, in an episode that posted Wednesday morning.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Gets Pranked
Amon-Ra St. Brown was at dinner Friday and didn’t write back in time, Williams said. By then, Williams had been pranked. The video of a scuttled FaceTime call was later posted online.
“You’re a great QB,” a young-sounding man said on FaceTime. “I’m so glad you’re going to get a new head coach. I don’t know if it’s Ben Johnson.”
Williams Admits He Was Pranked
Williams admitted he’d been had.
“It was a classic prank … I’ve got to give them props,” Williams said.
Consequences of the Prank
Williams was mad afterward, knowing that the video would probably go online and he’d be forced to change his number.
“I was trying not to flip out — I knew they were probably recording,” he said.
What’s Next for the Bears’ Coaching Search?
As the Bears continue their head coaching search, Williams offered little insight into the process. When Equanimeous St. Brown asked about coach Marcus Freeman being a potential candidate, Williams said he didn’t know whether he’d be interviewed. He said he respected what Freeman accomplished with the Fighting Irish.
“I would stay put — he built everything over there,” he said.
What Williams Wants in a Coach
Williams said that “selfishly” he wants an offensive-minded coach but that he’d be happy with a strong-minded leader of men who was good at clock management, regardless of his background.
FAQs
Q: Why did Caleb Williams change his phone number?
A: Williams changed his phone number after a prankster reached out and identified themselves as Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator.
Q: Who was the prankster?
A: The prankster was a young-sounding man who claimed to be Ben Johnson.
Q: What was the outcome of the prank?
A: The prank resulted in Williams being forced to change his phone number and the video of the scuttled FaceTime call being posted online.
Q: What does Williams think about the coaching search?
A: Williams offered little insight into the coaching search, but said he respects what Marcus Freeman accomplished with the Fighting Irish.
