Bears coach Ben Johnson throws out first pitch at Wrigley Field

Ben Johnson has been making an annual pilgrimage to see his beloved Cubs play at Wrigley Field for more than a decade. But Saturday’s trip to the Friendly Confines was unlike any other for the Bears coach.

Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Cubs-Diamondbacks game, earning praise for the velocity and movement the former North Carolina quarterback put on the ball that was caught by relief pitcher Brad Keller.

Johnson attended the game with his wife, Jessica, and their children, Emory, Kennedy and Halle. The family posed for a photo with Cubs outfielder Ian Happ and walked through the tunnel into the dugout and onto the field.