Before signing with the Bay Area Panthers, quarterback Noah Johnson had reinvented himself as a successful car salesman in Tampa after his college career at South Florida.

 "I think more should be written about athletes who don't make it the next level right away and have to figure out life right after college," said Johnson.  "It's tough and you don't have a lot of people to talk to.  That's something that should be talked about a lot more."

While at work on the lot, Johnson a received a call that reignited the fire.  It came from Bay Area Assistant Head Coach Rob Keefe.   It was the second time Keefe reached out—the other was when Johnson was right out of school with NFL dreams.  He wasn't emotionally ready to take his game to the IFL.

He is now.

"Over time, I've matured and can look at things from a different point of view," said Johnson.  "When he called this time, I was ready.  Let's do this thing!"

Panthers' Head Coach and General Manager Darren Arbet is eager to get to work with his new quarterback.

"The thing I liked about his film is that he did the same thing at South Florida as he did at Alcorn State," said Arbet.  "He showed a lot of speed at both schools.  Noah threw the ball well and is a great leader.  I'm really excited to have him with us."

Johnson started his career at HBCU Alcorn State and during his freshman year tied the school record for touchdowns in a game with eight, originally set by legend Steve McNair.   The record certainly would have fallen but Johnson was taken out of the game in third quarter.

Alcorn State's Head Coach is Fred McNair—the late Steve McNair's brother.
 
"I never asked about it because I really didn't care about having the record.  But it did cross my mind after I left the stadium.  He had to know."

In 2018, Johnson was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and one of four finalists for the HBCU Player of the Year Award along with making the final 25 for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best player in FCS.   Johnson threw for over 2,200 yards with 16 scores and ran for another 1080 yards with 11 touchdowns.  Among the scores was a 92-yard dash against Alabama State.

The following season he suffered a sprained AC shoulder joint that limited him to three games.  Johnson required several months of rehabilitation and lost his starting position.
    
The Tampa native fulfilled a dream by being able to finish his college career at South Florida.  Johnson played in six of the team's nine games, completing 62 percent of his throws.  He declared for the NFL Draft after the season.

"It was a blessing to go down there and play in Raymond James Stadium," said Johnson.  "I didn't have the season I would have liked but you can't put a price on a dream."

With his pro dreams on hold and looking a new career, Johnson discovered he was good at sales--selling phones out of stores like Target, Costco and Sam's Club.  He found immediate success and finished in the top three of his company every month. 

It was off the next challenge when Johnson's quarterbacks coach from high school reached out to a manager at Brandon Hyundai in Tampa. 

"I didn't know anything about cars," said Johnson.  "But I know how to talk to people and I know how to present stuff.  I'm a people person.  My first month, I was number two on the sales board.  I'm killing it."

Johnson plans on working part time at dealership in the Bay Area while playing for the Panthers.  There's no trepidation in adapting to a different part of the country playing a different version of the sport.

"Things are quicker and your thought process has to be fast," said Johnson.  "You speed up your release on a condensed field.  You make quick decisions and it's only going to help me get to a higher level.  Kurt Warner (former Iowa Barnstomer and NFL Hall of Famer) did it.  There's no shame in the journey"

The Bay Area Panthers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups, are listed below

Sunday, March 26, 5:05 PM v. Arizona Rattlers
Sunday, April 16, 5:05 PM v. Tucson Sugar Skulls
Sunday, April 23, 5:05 PM v.  Northern Arizona Wranglers
Monday, May 8, 7:05 PM v. Vegas Knight Hawks
Saturday, May 20, 6:05 PM v. Frisco Fighters
Saturday, June 3, 6:05 PM v. Duke City Gladiators
Monday, July 10, 7:06 PM v. San Diego Strike Force

Season tickets for the Bay Area Panthers 2023 season are on sale NOW