North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson's 2024 season is unfortunately over after he suffered an injury Friday night against Minnesota.
It was an emotional moment for Johnson, who seemed to know at the time that his injury was serious, but his family was also clearly devastated.
Johnson's mother was seen on the Fox broadcast with her head in her hands as she shed tears for her son following the injury. And that scene also moved former quarterback and Fox host Brock Huard.
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FOX Sports reporter Brock Huard during the USFL playoff game between the Birmingham Stallions and the New Orleans Breakers on June 25, 2023, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“My mother was a mother of three quarterbacks,” Huard explained. “It's a tough job. It's like being a pastor's wife. It can be a very lonely place.
“All eyes are judging a quarterback on every play, and mothers carry that weight. They sense it. They feel it. They hear it in ways… it's kind of hard for me to watch, to be honest with you, because you know how much their son has endured, too. Multiple stops, multiple places, adversity to fight for this opportunity.
NORTH CAROLINA QB MAX JOHNSON LEAVES GAME AFTER BRUTAL INJURY AND IS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
Huard's voice seemed a little cracked as she explained what a quarterback mom goes through, but it was a tough scene to watch considering Johnson's career in college football.
The 6-foot-4 left-handed quarterback began his college career at LSU, where he threw for 3,883 yards with 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 18 games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He would eventually transfer to Texas A&M, where he played two more seasons but never started a full season.
At the end of last season, where he threw for 1,452 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions, Johnson entered the graduate transfer portal and landed with the Tar Heels.
Fox analyst Brock Huard during the USFL home opener between the New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions on April 16, 2022, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, AL. (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In his fifth season of college football, Johnson was looking to make a name for himself in the ACC.
“We don't always think about the human element, the families and especially the mothers who raise and nurture and provide so much support,” Huard continued.
The Tar Heels managed to secure the win with Johnson's exit in the third quarter, 19-17, but the only thing on head coach Mack Brown's mind was his quarterback.
“I thought he was getting his confidence back and he was getting his form back in the third quarter when he got hurt,” Brown said, according to the New York Post. “We're not sure how serious his injury is. He's in the hospital with his parents and we'll wait. We certainly have him in our thoughts and prayers.”
North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson (14) grabs his knee after being tackled during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. (Matt Krohn-USA Today Sports)
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The Tar Heels' fear that Johnson suffered a broken leg was confirmed Saturday morning, meaning he will miss the rest of the season. Second-year quarterback Connor Harrell replaced Johnson and will likely take over the starting role the rest of the way.
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