Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Date: November 17, 2025
Episode Title: Bears WIN - First Place in the NFC North - Kevin Warren's Game Ball

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Chicago Bears' recent win that propelled them to first place in the NFC North with a 7-3 record. Dan and his longtime producer, Matt Abbatacola, analyze an under-the-radar controversy: the postgame locker room decision to give Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren a game ball, as opposed to players who made critical contributions—most notably, cornerback Nishan Wright, who coped with a personal loss that week.

The hosts balance sharp critique and celebration of the Bears’ improbable winning ways, touch on the Bulls' thrilling double OT game, discuss current NBA storylines, and share personal anecdotes, tying it all together with wit and Chicago sports savvy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Game Ball Controversy

Timestamps: 01:30–14:31

• Dan Bernstein’s Rant: Dan is visibly bothered ("rankled") that head coach Ben Johnson gave a game ball to team executive Kevin Warren instead of players like Nishan Wright who, Dan argues, were more deserving.

  • “Nishan Wright deserved a game ball yesterday and Kevin Warren didn’t.” — Dan Bernstein [03:02]

• Why It Matters: Dan emphasizes the symbolic significance of postgame honors for players, saying that a game ball can become a cherished memento decades later.

  • “It matters when they have their little rooms at home 20 years from now, 30 years from now, 40 years from now, when they look back on the big days in their career…” — Dan Bernstein [02:04]

• Backstory on Nishan Wright: Wright, a guest captain and former team member, had just lost his JUCO coach and father figure, John Beam, to murder days before. Wright made a huge interception before halftime that likely preserved the win.

  • “When my dad was killed, he [Beam] came to my house and got me out of bed... He did a lot for me and my brother and my family.” — Dan Bernstein (quoting Wright) [06:30]

• Critique of Kevin Warren’s Role:

  • Both hosts question why Warren is so prominent postgame, with Matt saying, “I've never liked the fact that from the front office he’s in the locker room.” [05:10]
  • Dan: “He needs to get the damn stadium built. He's here to do one thing.” [09:40]

• Mitigating Possibility: The hosts briefly acknowledge that Wright may have declined public recognition due to his emotional week—but short of that, they maintain the coaching staff missed a chance at authenticity and leadership.

2. Bears’ “Winning Ugly” Identity

Timestamps: 16:46–23:12

• Point Differential Paradox: Despite leading the division, the Bears have been outscored over the season, making them the only NFL division leader with a negative point differential.

  • “Enjoy it. Make that your identity—be the team that’s 7-3, maybe not that good…how does that do in the playoffs? Bad.” — Dan Bernstein [17:12]

• Team Reaction: The Bears themselves admit they’re winning ugly and not playing their best football yet. Both coach Ben Johnson and QB Caleb are quoted as being unsatisfied with performance.

  • “You can be critical of the team and enjoy the wins at the same time. You can do both.” — Matt [19:49]

• Fan Overreaction: Bears Twitter went into an uproar after misreading a tweet that called a team “the worst 7-3 team ever”—which wasn’t even about the Bears.

  • “All the Bears reflexive fanboys went crazy.” — Dan Bernstein [22:13]

3. Around Chicago Sports: Bulls, NBA Notes

Timestamps: 28:08–33:55

• Bulls Recap: The Bulls lose a thrilling, double OT, highest-scoring NBA game of the season (150-147), with Kobe White leading in scoring and Lowry Markkanen lighting up the scoreboard for the Jazz.

  • “Lowry Markkanen had 47 points in 46 minutes…He is at the peak of his powers right now.” — Dan Bernstein [31:01]

• NBA Storylines:

  • Draymond Green Fan Incident: They lampoon Green for getting offended by being compared to Angel Reese and taking gender-based offense.
    • “You can't keep calling me a woman. I got four kids, one on the way.” — Dan Bernstein (quoting Draymond) [43:05]
    • Dan and Matt skewer this response as vintage toxic masculinity.

• Personal Note: Dan shares a story about catching his first steelhead trout, crediting a local guide’s skill and generosity. [50:17–53:25]

4. Culture, Cinema, and the Pope’s Speech

Timestamps: 54:08–59:48

• Pope as Cinephile: Dan reads Pope Leo’s speech to Hollywood, appreciating how cinema and culture keep cities vibrant and can be “holy” in the communal, human sense.
  • “Cultural facilities such as cinemas and theaters are the beating hearts of our communities…beauty is not just a means of escape, it is above all an invocation.” — Dan Bernstein (reading Pope Leo) [56:15]

5. College Football Quick Takes

Timestamps: 65:55–68:03

• Dan recaps the weekend’s major college football upsets and rankings shifts, emphasizing how volatile and odd the standings can be.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the game ball:
  -"That should have been his [Wright’s] game ball…Why are you giving one to the president and CEO of the team? It was so cringy." — Dan Bernstein [08:34]
  -"If Kevin Warren can duplicate [the Vikings’ stadium]…I'd gladly drive to his house and hand him a game ball." — Co-host [23:48]

• On “winning ugly”:
  -"I'm gonna dig in even harder by saying it is more fun to be the team that is 7-3, maybe not that good. Enjoy it." — Dan Bernstein [17:12]

• On Draymond Green:
  -"You can't keep calling me a woman. I got four kids, one on the way." — Dan Bernstein (quoting Draymond Green) [43:05]
  -"What are we doing here with some of these tropes? This doesn't help anything or anybody." — Dan Bernstein [45:06]

Important Timestamps

• 01:30–14:31: Bears’ locker room & game ball controversy (with emotional context for Nishan Wright)
• 16:46–23:12: Bears’ identity as a “winning ugly” team, fan reactions, and point differential discussion
• 28:08–33:55: Bulls/Jazz instant classic recap and NBA storylines
• 43:03–45:55: Draymond Green’s “Angel Reese” incident and discussion of gender-based taunting
• 54:08–59:48: Pope’s speech on cinema as communal and holy; broader cultural commentary

Tone & Style

Dan and Matt bring their trademark blend of sarcasm, directness, and Chicago sports passion. The conversation is sharp, fast-paced, and often witty, with genuine empathy where warranted (notably around Nishan Wright’s personal loss). There are recurring bits about nostalgia, toxic masculinity in sports, and city pride. The show is unapologetically opinionated but remains self-aware and humorous.

Conclusion

For anyone following Chicago sports, this episode captures the exact spirit of being a Bears fan in 2025: enjoying wins that defy expectation, critiquing management with candor, and relishing the culture—warts and all—that surrounds both the teams and the city.

[End of summary]