For 86 years, the Boston Red Sox were plagued by the Curse of the Bambino when they traded Babe Ruth and didn't win a World Series from 1918 through 2023. The Florida Gators might be on a similar pathway with the Curse of the Shoe Throw from their infamous 2020 game against LSU.
And believe it or not, one of the key players from that game has hit the transfer portal with the goal of playing college football in 2026.
Max Johnson hits the transfer portal
If we rewind to that infamous night, LSU trotted out then true freshman Max Johnson as their QB. Johnson had started LSU's previous three games leading into the Florida matchup, throwing a total of two touchdowns and the Tigers had lost all three of those games.
Johnson went on to throw for three TDs against the Gators, 239 yards, and he also ran for 52 yards. Lost in Marco Wilson's shoe throw was the nine-yard run Johnson had on the next play to help set up the game-winning 57-yard field goal.
Johnson also faced the Gators in 2021 and went 14-24 for 133 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-42 LSU win.
After the 2021 season, Johnson transferred to Texas A&M and played two seasons there. He transferred again after 2023 to UNC and was with the Tar Heels the past two seasons. In 2025, Johnson threw for 432 yards, appearing in four games.
Once upon a time, it would be time for Johnson to update his LinkedIn profile and go get a job with the degree he has hopefully earned over his six years. But in this new age of college football, where the rules are made up, and the points don't matter, Johnson is going to hit the transfer portal with hopes of playing for a 7th season.
To put in perspective just how crazy this is, Wilson has been in the NFL for five seasons now.
But welcome to the new era of college football. If Johnson gets one more year of eligibility, we'll see where he lands and whether or not he gets to haunt Florida one last time.