Dave Portnoy Accuses Chicago Bears QB of ‘Spreading Disinformation’ About Him in Social Media Feud: ‘He’s an Emotional Guy’

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Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy accused Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams of “spreading disinformation” about him on social media Tuesday.

On Sunday, Williams exited the Bears’ game against the Minnesota Vikings with a non-contact hamstring injury. Because non-contact injuries are often associated with season-ending diagnoses, it was feared that Williams could be sidelined for an extended period of time. Williams seemingly feared the same, as he was visibly overcome with emotion as he was carted into the locker room.

After the game, however, it was reported that Williams avoided a serious injury and could be back in just a few weeks. This led to many social media users mocking him for showing so much emotion over what turned out to be a relatively minor injury.

Portnoy was among those mocking Williams. On Monday’s episode of Wake Up Barstool, Portnoy called the QB a “thespian” and joked that Williams acted as if “both ACLs” had been torn in his knees.

Williams took exception to those remarks. On his X/Twitter account, he reposted a tweet in which a Bears fan claimed Portnoy “had a kid arrested and expelled from school for throwing pennies at him.”

Portnoy denied that characterization of the situation, saying:

I woke up to Bears Qb @CALEBcsw spreading disinformation about me. I didn’t get anybody arrested or kicked outta school. That moron threw shit 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 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 was referring to a 2025 incident when a 20-year-old college student harassed him by yelling anti-Semitic insults and throwing change at him. Portnoy was recording one of his pizza reviews at the time, meaning the altercation was caught on camera.

The student, identified as Patrick McClintock, was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace. Mississippi State University later revealed that McClintock withdrew from the school.

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