The football season had begun and slowly one quarterback began to receive exposure. By the end of the season his name and videos of his incredible plays were everywhere. He claimed a victory over Alabama and won the Heisman Trophy, and almost immediately everyone knew his name. The player in question is not Tim Tebow. In fact, most people don't refer to him by his given name. They simply call him "Johnny Football."
Johnny Manziel has been in the news again lately, but not necessarily in a flattering light. From his courtside appearances at NBA Finals games and throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Major League Baseball games, to his apparent enjoyment of firing back at his critics on Twitter, one recent tweet may have him in hot water.
After tweeting that he could not wait to get out of College Station, speculation began that his newfound fame may be harder to handle than he originally thought. Although he deleted the post almost immediately and explained that his frustration stemmed from a parking ticket, many believe the damage was done.
The tweet came about the same time news outlets began reporting that he was considering transferring to a junior college so he could play after being suspended by Texas A&M for his arrest on June 29, 2012. He was charged with not identifying himself, being in possession of fake IDs and disturbing the peace after getting into a fight which he claimed was to defend a friend after someone thought his companion used a racial slur.
Manziel decided to file an appeal before transferring, which included letters of support from Head Coach Kevin Sumlin and then-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. His suspension was lifted and he was placed on probation for the 2012 season.
After winning the Heisman Trophy, among several other awards, Manziel seemed to rocket to a level of fame that led the school to organize a support system to insure he remained in compliance due to the appearances he began making all over the country.
This newfound popularity, he claims, has forced him to begin taking all of his classes online for his major, sports management. This move raised eyebrows as well, fueling the assumption that he has either become uncomfortable with his popularity, or, as some suggested, he has embraced fame and is on his way down the path of the oft-reviled diva.
Whatever the case may be, it's safe to assume that once the new season begins, the answers to the questions surrounding Manziel's ego will be answered. Will a gifted athlete cave under the weight of his own fame or will the country be in awe of Johnny Football 2.0?
- Kevin Hicks
@kevinhicks77
kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com
Johnny Manziel has been in the news again lately, but not necessarily in a flattering light. From his courtside appearances at NBA Finals games and throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Major League Baseball games, to his apparent enjoyment of firing back at his critics on Twitter, one recent tweet may have him in hot water.
After tweeting that he could not wait to get out of College Station, speculation began that his newfound fame may be harder to handle than he originally thought. Although he deleted the post almost immediately and explained that his frustration stemmed from a parking ticket, many believe the damage was done.
The tweet came about the same time news outlets began reporting that he was considering transferring to a junior college so he could play after being suspended by Texas A&M for his arrest on June 29, 2012. He was charged with not identifying himself, being in possession of fake IDs and disturbing the peace after getting into a fight which he claimed was to defend a friend after someone thought his companion used a racial slur.
Manziel decided to file an appeal before transferring, which included letters of support from Head Coach Kevin Sumlin and then-offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. His suspension was lifted and he was placed on probation for the 2012 season.
After winning the Heisman Trophy, among several other awards, Manziel seemed to rocket to a level of fame that led the school to organize a support system to insure he remained in compliance due to the appearances he began making all over the country.
This newfound popularity, he claims, has forced him to begin taking all of his classes online for his major, sports management. This move raised eyebrows as well, fueling the assumption that he has either become uncomfortable with his popularity, or, as some suggested, he has embraced fame and is on his way down the path of the oft-reviled diva.
Whatever the case may be, it's safe to assume that once the new season begins, the answers to the questions surrounding Manziel's ego will be answered. Will a gifted athlete cave under the weight of his own fame or will the country be in awe of Johnny Football 2.0?
- Kevin Hicks
@kevinhicks77
kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com
He's a punk. Pure scum. I love that he hates A&M now, too. I wonder how their insufferable fans feel about that...
ReplyDeleteKevin, you many not know that Texas Monthly updated their "suspension" article with the corrected info. It's too bad, but not unexpected that the clarification received a miniscule amount of attention when compared to the national speculation/obsession for "the tweet".
ReplyDeleteHe was not suspended. You can check their website for an explanation of that. This article contains a timeline of what ACTUALLY happened:
http://www.goodbullhunting.com/2013/6/21/4451718/new-info-from-the-sources-1-on-johnnys-nearly-transferring
along with these quotes from TX Mon.'s supposed source...Manziel's mom:
"She adds that neither she nor her husband Paul nor Johnny seriously considered transferring to another college during this time (that only would have happened had Manziel lost the appeal)."
Please also note that you are in error when you claim "he remained on probation for the 2012 season".
Now, a couple of questions. You said, "Johnny Manziel has been in the news again lately, but not necessarily in a flattering light. From his courtside appearances at NBA Finals games and throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Major League Baseball games."
Would you explain what is "not flattering" about attending an NBA finals game? There were many other sports fans there. Some were also in very nice seats. I'm willing to bet that many of them were excited and posted photos from their seats. His family has been and continues to be able to afford such things. Should he stay home simple because CFB fans across the nation just don't WANT him to go? I see this comment often & wonder how attending sporting events became the near-equivalent of watching kiddie porn if Manziel is involved.
Throwing out first pitches? Why is that a problem? If the club wants him to do it and he's willing, what is wrong with that? Is it immoral? Why isn't there national outrage when McCarron drives a pace car at Taledega? Or when AJ poses with rappers who are wearing his NC ring and giving the camera the finger? When Aaron McMurray posts an excited photo of himself standing behind Tiger Woods at the Masters? When Geno Smith poses with celebs at the same ESPN SuperBowl party that JM attended? There was no uproar about Geno, but JM got a jab from every gossip media outlet out there. What's the difference between JM and other players who do similar activities?
I have asked these questions in forums and on blogs and all anyone can say is "it doesn't look good". No one ever says WHY they think it doesn't look good. If several thousand people are at a sports event, having a great time, none of them should worry about what the millions of people who didn't go are thinking of them. Just like I shouldn't worry about how you spend your free time, as long as it's legal.
I apologize for the several typos in my post above. Hopefully, my meaning will be clear in spite of them.
ReplyDelete