Johnny Football Go Away

Oh how the times and a person's actions can change one's opinion.  When Johnny Manziel burst onto the scene, I was one of his biggest fans.  He reminded me a lot of Todd Reesing, a similarly undersized quarterback with similar attributes in regards to speed, elusiveness and pass accuracy.  Both were small for their position (Reesing was generously listed at 6' and probably well under that and the same could probably be said of Manziel who is listed at 6'1)  They both had a fire and passion and drive to do whatever it took to win.  That's why I rooted for Manziel.  He was getting the accolades that Reesing never could, mostly because my beloved Kansas just wasn't the place to receive media attention for football (and a tiny bit because we Jayhawks may have overvalued his talents).  Manziel broke all the preconceived notions that a freshman could/would never win the Heisman because he was the best player on the field and deserved it, so sports writers had no choice.  However, following the wild ride that is Johnny Football, perhaps we are learning why coach Kevin Sumlin would not give the media access to this kid.  Perhaps we also learn why no freshman had been awarded the Heisman and it may not have been because of stuffed shirt media types as many had presumed.

When I first read about all the goings on with Johnny Manziel (why is is name Johnny with an H when his full name is Jonathan?), I was willing to write it off as a kid being a kid.  Then as time went along and more came out about his things I became more aggravated.  What disturbs me more than just the actions of this 20 year old, are the reactions to it.  Every excuse on ESPN's message boards or Facebook posts seems to say, essentially, "leave the kid alone.  He's doing what any 20 year old would do."  Well, no he's not.  Not every 20 year old is getting smashed.  Yes, many do and it's been glorified to a point that I feel is unhealthy but that's my personal feelings on that topic.  However, most 20 year olds that I knew in college did not let their drinking habits overly affect their lives.  They did not go to rival universities and crash a Fraternity party.  Most 20 year olds weren't saying they could not wait to get out of college and most 20 year old athletes aren't saying they can't go to class because there is too much attention.  I went to school with some of the biggest names in college basketball.  Even big names like Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck or Cam Newton did not have to take online courses to avoid the attention of their fellow students.  (Whether they went to class in general is another matter)

Then comes the Outside the Lines piece and article about Manziel's family.  I was not given the opinion that some local sportscasters were, of Manziel's family taking advantage of his fame.  On the contrary, I think they were uncomfortable with it.  Rather, I was given the image that, though a caring family, they have been affected by money.  Or at least Johnny has.  No one can tell what Manziel has had to go through or fight to achieve or earn from one article.  However, I read into it a lack of discipline that is difficult to instill when someone comes from so much privilege.  This is not a blanket statement.  I have a friend whose wife comes from a family of money and their family all seem like hard working people that just live a different lifestyle than your average person.  However, Manziel, through his ongoing actions, just comes off as that spoiled rich kid that never learned proper lessons and though his father loves him, perhaps never learned how to be a father to him as opposed to trying to be a friend.

The last incident, most recently reported by ESPN, has been the final straw for me.  While $7500 isn't a huge sum of money in the grand scheme, it just begs the question of how foolish is this kid or at the very least how stupid are the people he is surrounding himself with.  His personal friend/business manager is reportedly the one that began telling autograph seekers Manziel would no longer sign without compensation.  If this is true, what in the world could they be thinking?  Are they that naive to think no one would become irritated at this and report any under the table funding that had or could have gone on?  The simple fact alone that they were seeking to get paid reeks of stupidity or at the very least no common sense of judgment.  One can argue for weeks and months on the merits of the NCAA's definition of amateur and compensation for players, but as the current system stands you simply are not allowed to accept money for anything even remotely related to playing your sport.

Not only does his poor judgement irk me, but the kid doesn't even need the money.  D'Marco Farr, former Ram and co-host on 101 ESPN in St. Louis, said it and I agree.  You can at least make the case for kids who are trying to get money to support their families or came from poorer upbringings and want the funds for some spending money.  Manziel was traveling the country over the summer, presumably on his parents' dime.  He had court-side seats for an NBA finals game.  This does not seem to me like someone that needs to be compensated, especially not in the numbers that have been reported.  To make matters worse, and I usually let people spend their money how they will, Manziel is reportedly on tape saying he was going to spend the $7,500 on rims for his car.  Not even touching the idea that there are rims that expensive, could we get any more trivial?  I'd like a hockey mask with a certain paint scheme on it.  Doesn't mean I'm going to go buy it as soon as I receive my first paycheck when I start my career.

Manziel may get drafted into the NFL and he may have the drive to succeed in the league.  However, I see a rude awakening for this young man coming and fast.  He consistently says he's going to live his life the way he wants and that's fine.  He needs to come to grips with the fact that there are consequences for every action we do in life, no matter how insignificant.  And fans need to stop the excuses.  Not every 20 year old is doing or would do the things he is.  Not every 20 year old is under the scrutiny or pressure he is either.  However, there are many, in the sports world in particular, that are and have made much better decisions when faced with similar circumstances.  I wish the best to this guy and hopefully he turns it around.  But for now he needs to go away.  Stay out of the light for awhile, get back to playing football if the NCAA will allow and just shut up.

As always, this is just my opinion...but I'm right.