Ben Johnson, head coach of the Chicago Bears, took a moment away from the gridiron to make a memorable appearance at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Prior to the Cubs’ 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, showcasing his love for the historic ballpark with a pitch that dropped like a Bruce Sutter split-finger fastball, right over the plate.
Johnson, who has a long-standing affection for Wrigley Field, was joined by his family for the special occasion. His connection to the Cubs runs deep, dating back to his youth in Asheville, North Carolina, where he and his brother would watch Cubs games on WGN during the 1990s.
This strong bond to the team led his brother to put their names on a Cubs season ticket waiting list back in 2007, and after years of anticipation, they were finally able to buy tickets.
When Johnson was hired as the Bears’ head coach, he spoke fondly of his experiences coming to Chicago each summer with his family to catch a Cubs series.
“For the last 10-plus years, my family and I have been coming up for a Cubs series every summer,” Johnson shared. “It doesn’t take long to realize that this place is special. These people are special. This is exactly where I wanted to raise my family, my kids.” Saturday’s event not only allowed Johnson to fulfill a childhood dream but also brought out support from several notable figures, including Bears players Caleb Williams, Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney, Rome Odunze, Austin Reed, and Tyson Bagent, as well as team president Kevin Warren. Johnson also had a chance to chat with Cubs manager Craig Counsell, further solidifying his bond with the team. For Johnson, throwing out the first pitch was a full-circle moment, a symbolic gesture that tied together his personal love for Chicago sports and his role as a coach in the city.
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