LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears head coach Ben Johnson grew up in Charleston, South Carolina as a devoted fan of the Cubs. That was because Cubs games were broadcast across the country on WGN and they had a superstar second baseman named Ryne Sandberg.
Sandberg passed away Monday evening at age 65 after a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his home. Sandberg revealed a diagnosis of prostate cancer in January 2024. After treatment removed the cancer by last August, he endured a reoccurrence in the winter and it spread.
The loss of Sandberg, a Hall of Famer and a star across 15 seasons with the Cubs, has touched countless fans around Chicago and the country. That includes Johnson, who reflected on Sandberg’s impact to his life.
“I grew up a big Cubs fan, so he was a big part of my childhood, my family,” Johnson said Tuesday morning as the Bears prepared for practice at Halas Hall. “We watched him, Mark Grace, the whole crew on WGN for a number of years. I know what he means to the city and the career that he had. So, thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Johnson and his family made an annual trip to Wrigley Field for more than a decade. Back in April, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Saturday afternoon game as he was recognized by the Cubs.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.