By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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When Brad Johnson looked to the field this past weekend, success is what he saw.

Quarterback Brad Johnson, a 15-year NFL veteran, winner of Super Bowl XXXVII, a two-time Pro Bowler and a former standout at Florida State, saw a lot during his remarkable playing career. What he is seeing now is a whole different kind of special. Johnson, the father of two talented football stars, currently views the game through the rare perspective of a coach and a critic, a fan and a father. When Johnson looked to the field this past weekend, success is what he saw.

Both examples, for the long-proven winner, looked a lot like a glance in the mirror.

On Friday, Johnson watched and helped his youngest son Jake win a big state playoff game for Oconee County in Georgia as the quarterbacks coach for the Warriors. A heralded tight end prospect who is already pledged to the 2022 All-American Bowl, Jake has 30 receptions for 698 yards and nine touchdowns for his undefeated team. On Saturday, Johnson was in Gainesville to see his oldest son Max lead LSU to an upset victory over top ten SEC East Champion Florida. It came with 239 passing yards, 52 rushing yards, three touchdowns and a signature win.

Max, with his leading performance, was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week. It was his first-career start.

The new Johnson star under center, Max was poised and proficient, a stabilizing tone-setter for his team. He came through in game situations that mattered most. Not just a familiar profile, it’s a family one. Max starred for the suddenly surging Tigers, leading one of the most storied programs in college football to a victory in one of the most storied venues in the game. The college football world watched it on a primetime Saturday night. Dad was right there to see it all in person.

“For Max, he is just grateful to have a chance to play,” Johnson stated. “To step into the Swamp with a bunch of young guys and come away with a crazy game, especially at the end, against a team in Florida trying to win a national championship, it’s pretty awesome to come away with the victory. Just happy for the team and Max.”

The elder Johnson has long made plays on the field and made them up in his mind at the same time. In each instance, formerly as a quarterback and now as a coach, he has been able to directly impact all that happens on the field. Control things, even. Saturday night in the Swamp was quite unique. All Johnson could do was watch. What he saw was a powerful and personal example of football coming full-circle. It was a true showcase performance from a quarterback with his exact same name and number.

There sat a former NFL great, one who was both incredibly happy and completely helpless all at the same time.

“When you’re at a youth football game and the quarterback drops back, you can yell, ‘pass!’ or, ‘throw it there, run there’. When you’re sitting in the stands, you can’t say a word. You’re at the mercy of what is happening on the field and the moments you had growing up with your son teaching him how to play quarterback,” Johnson shared. “Hopefully all of those things come into play. You watch and you have enjoyment for them.”

Max was LSU’s offensive catalyst in a game where the Tigers scored 37 points for the win. He completed 21-of-36 passes and ran the football 18 times. He paced an attack that compiled 418 total yards and 24 first downs and did so without a single turnover. Ten fourth quarter points proved to be the difference in the instant classic of a game. Johnson was instrumental in a triumph that, in some ways, changes the dynamic of the Tigers’ season.

It gives Johnson and LSU alike momentum moving forward.

Beyond just the statistics, what impressed dad the most was his son’s feel for the moment. Brad saw Max adjust situationally, from merely trying to move the football off the goaline early in the first quarter to throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass early in the fourth. He was ready for whatever came. The younger Johnson went head-to-head against one of the best teams and players in the country, creating his own legacy with his famous father right there watching.

“I think he dealt with the play when each play presented itself. Their first possession they get the football at the 1-yard line. Hey, let’s get the ball out. The first play was a QB sneak. Just to try to get some yards. Florida scores first, can you match it? In a heavyweight title match with a guy who is potentially going to win the Heisman with Trask,” Brad detailed. “Max kept his composure. He says he feels good with the protections and progressions and those kinds of things. It was fun to see him come through.”

In what was a wild game, there was so much that had to be surreal for Johnson. A former quarterback for Bobby Bowden, dad never played in the Swamp. Max already has his own resume taking shape.

“Those are fighting words, Florida State and Florida. I never got to start in the Swamp, I was a back-up. Anytime you can beat the Gators, it’s a fun time,” Brad acknowledged. “Especially under the circumstances with where Florida is at in their season and having to deal with what LSU has been dealing with. It’s a night to remember.”

As Max introduced himself to college football, many storylines followed.

“LSU is a household, national name. They won the national championship last year, won a couple in the past, had a Heisman winner last year with Joe Burrow. And then all my connections I had in the NFL. A lot of my former teammates reached out to me during the game,” Brad stated. “For LSU to win that game in the Swamp, it’s a memory that will go down for a long, long time. Especially for our house. Just excited for all the LSU fans.”

Remember, Saturday night was the Johnson’s second win of the weekend. Oconee County defeated Peach County 31-13 in a spotlight state playoff game in Georgia’s quarterfinal round. The younger Jake, a blue-chip prospect, continues to play well as one of the top players for the Warriors. At 11-0, Oconee County is one win away from the state championship game. Father and son continue to prepare.

“No sleep for the weary, man, burning both ends of the candle on this one,” Brad laughed. “Friday night was awesome, awesome win for my son Jake. We’re undefeated, playing in the semifinals. Then go the Swamp, get that one. I was gameplanning all night last night and trying to get ready for practice today. Got a great game coming up, hopefully we can make another run to the state title.”

What a weekend for the Johnsons. Jake helped a state champion favorite move one step closer to a title. Max then led the defending national champions to their biggest win of the season. Brad, rather dad, was right there watching and appreciating it all. He also knows there are more opportunities to come. The year after Johnson was the Super Bowl, he came back with the most touchdown passes of his career. A former professional athlete, Johnson remains a competitor.

As Johnson can attest, and just might be thinking about more than ever, the process continues.

“Football is a humbling game. It’s humbling. It’s day by day, play by play. I know we got another tough semifinal game coming up this Friday. I know Max and LSU will have a tough game against Ole Miss coming up. You got to earn it every day. I do know that. But have fun at it. I do know that you want to enjoy the times that you have on the field. We’re very, very blessed. This past weekend was great, but we got to go out and earn it again this weekend.”

There is a lot to look forward to for Brad Johnson. A lot to reflect on as well.