Dave Portnoy
Dave Portnoy responds to Caleb Williams with an unexpected message for Bears fans 1
Dave Portnoy used Monday’s Wake Up Barstool on FS1 to mock Caleb Williams’ reaction to a hamstring injury, calling the Chicago Bears quarterback a thespian. By Tuesday morning, Williams had reposted an X post claiming Portnoy once had a kid arrested and expelled from school for throwing pennies at him.
“I woke up to Bears QB [Caleb Williams] spreading disinformation about me,” Portnoy wrote on X. “I didn’t get anybody arrested or kicked outta school. That moron threw crap at me on camera in the middle of a pizza review and it went viral. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.”
NCAA Football: Navy at ArmyNCAA Football: Navy at Army
Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dave Portnoy, Bar Stool Sports founder and owner walks along the sidelines before the playing of the 125 Army Navy game at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The incident happened on Nov. 7, 2025, in Starkville, Mississippi, while Portnoy was filming a One Bite pizza review. Video showed a man shouting an antisemitic slur at Portnoy, who is Jewish, and throwing coins at him. Starkville police reportedly said they were notified of the viral video that day, opened an investigation and issued a warrant over the weekend.
A 20-year-old Mississippi State student was charged on Nov. 10 with disturbing the peace. “Offensive words alone are protected, but when behavior disrupts a public event or risks violence, we will take steps to help maintain safety and security,” the department said in a statement.
I woke up to Bears Qb @CALEBcsw spreading disinformation about me. I didn’t get anybody arrested or kicked outta school. That moron threw crap at me on camera in the middle of a pizza review and it went viral. Play stupid games win stupid prizes
Regardless I will not hold… pic.twitter.com/N58DJTqcND
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 22, 2026
A university spokesperson said the student withdrew voluntarily within hours of police announcing the warrant.
The post Williams shared left out the slur captured on that video. The student was arrested, but police described acting on a clip that had already spread online, and the school called his exit voluntary. On who set the arrest in motion and how the student left, the public record sits closer to Portnoy’s version.
“Regardless I will not hold this against Caleb. He’s an emotional guy and in his feelings after tweaking his hammy. I am rooting for him and all of Chicago. I can’t wait to see 18 back on the field this week after that season ending injury. When they go low I go high! Go Bears!” Portnoy added.
How serious is Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury?
Williams pulled up on a fourth-quarter scramble in Sunday’s 9-3 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings and was carted off with a towel draped over his face.
NFL: Chicago Bears MinicampNFL: Chicago Bears Minicamp
Jun 11, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) speaks during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
“It sounds like it’s gonna be a week-to-week deal for him,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Monday. “I gotta still talk with our trainer here, we’ll do that here shortly, and I’ll have the lowdown from him, but it sounds like it’s week-to-week but will likely miss some time.”
Portnoy spoke Monday morning, before the MRI results were known. “The man tweaked his hammy, and acted like both ACLs, MCLs, and everything else had been torn,” Portnoy said. “What are we doing here?”
The MRI backed part of that, showing a strain without a major tear, though Johnson said Williams may not practice this week.
Chicago hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, and the Bears have not ruled Williams out. If he cannot go, Tyson Bagent would start.