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.

Johnson helped his son, Kennedy, celebrate his birthday by taking him into Cubs manager Craig Counsell's office, where they spoke with Counsell and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. Along with his family, Johnson was accompanied to the game by Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren.

Quarterback Caleb Williams also attended the contest, which the Cubs won 6-2.

Johnson became a Cubs fan watching them with his brother on superstation WGN while growing up in Ashville, N.C. His brother put his name on the waiting list for Cubs season tickets after he graduated high school in 2007 and secured four tickets several years later, allowing Ben and his family to take a yearly trip to Wrigley Field.

"The experience at Wrigley was unbelievable," Johnson said. "Being able to stand on the mound and take in the atmosphere was a dream. The Cubs provided an outstanding experience for me and my family."