By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — A year ago, Max Johnson lay on the field with a gruesome leg injury that ended his season soon after it began.
On Monday night in Chapel Hill, he completed a journey few thought possible to add a positive note on a night that otherwise went horribly wrong for North Carolina in a 48–14 loss to TCU in Bill Belichick’s debut.
The veteran quarterback entered off the bench and delivered, completing 9 of 11 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown — a 2-yard strike to his younger brother, Jake.
“I’m blessed to be able to play football again,” Johnson said. “Just want to give God all the credit.”
It was his first touchdown pass in 667 days. The previous one came while playing for Texas A&M in its 38–35 loss at Ole Miss on Nov. 4, 2023. The target for that scoring strike was also his brother.
That touchdown wasn’t planned as a family connection. Johnson admitted he didn’t realize his brother was even in the game until after the snap.
“I honestly didn’t even know he was in the game,” he said with a laugh. “Once I threw it to him, what a special moment. Felt like we were little kids again.”
It was more than just a score. For Johnson, it was a reminder of faith and perseverance. The road back was long and filled with doubt, but he never stopped believing.
“I couldn’t see myself a year ago being where I am now,” he said. “I always trusted that my faith in Christ would motivate me to get my leg healthy.”
This wasn’t Johnson’s first time navigating adversity. He’s been through quarterback battles before — at LSU, at Texas A&M and now at UNC. Losing the starting job during training camp didn’t discourage him; instead, it fueled his preparation.
“I prepared like I was a starter,” he said. “I was fully healthy the whole time and just tried to work my butt off.”
Johnson relieved starter Gio Lopez in the third quarter. The South Alabama quarterback hobbled off with an apparent back issue following a hard hit in which his fumble was returned for a touchdown.
With the quick turnaround before Saturday’s game at Charlotte, the starting spot could be up for grabs.
“We’ll take a look at it after we see where things are at here and go from there,” Belichick said. “It’s too early to tell them, right now. We’ll see where [Lopez is] at. I don’t know. It’s a short week. We’ll see. I don’t know where his availability is right now, so I’m not going to speculate on that.”
UNC ultimately fell to TCU, but the night still held meaning for Johnson. Running out of the tunnel in front of the Carolina blue lights was something he won’t forget after only playing at Minnesota last season.
“It was really special,” he said. “Just to see everybody cheering and feel the whole vibe of the stadium.”
Despite the loss, Johnson remains committed to leading and inspiring his teammates. His message is simple: keep fighting.
“Everybody goes through tough times,” he said. “Never give up. That’s the thing we will not do here.”
For Max Johnson, the game didn’t end in victory. It was very much decided before he even entered the game. But it ended in something just as memorable: a touchdown pass to his brother, and the chance to play football again.
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletic Communications
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