North Carolina did not have much to celebrate in Bill Belichick's debut. The Tar Heels were run off their own field in a 48-14 loss to TCU.
Videos by FanBuzz
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
One moment, however, offered some perspective in the middle of the blowout. Quarterback Max Johnson came off the bench in the third quarter after starter Gio Lopez was knocked out of the game. Johnson threw a touchdown pass in his first action since suffering a catastrophic leg injury last season.
The son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson, Max's road back was long. He underwent five surgeries and admitted there was a time he thought he might lose his leg. "It's just a blessing to be able to play football again," Johnson said after the game, according to the AP.
Last month, Johnson reflected on his rehab. He described the grind of scar tissue massages, therapy machines and water treadmill sessions. "I was just so joyful to be out [at practice on Aug. 2]," he said. "I remember taking my first steps and just being so happy in that moment. And man, I was just so happy to be out there today with my teammates again. I kind of felt like myself again."
Johnson completed 9 of 11 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. He replaced Lopez, who finished just 4 of 10 for 69 yards with two turnovers. Lopez went more than an hour of real time without a completion before being sidelined.
Belichick praised Johnson afterward but stopped short of naming a starter for the North Carolina game Saturday against Charlotte.
