Texas A & M quarterback has been under the microscope of the media and sports fans ever since he won the Heisman trophy during his red-shirt freshman campaign.
Last weekend, the 20-year-old phenom was kicked out of a frat party at University of Texas – Austin and the scope on Manziel’s lifestyle magnified significantly.
As a big-time college football player with his dual-threat skill set under center, Manziel will be more in the public eye than ever during the 2013 college football season.
Courtesy: Fox Sports South
Given his rapid rise to stardom, those in the sports world are watching his every move and trying to find any dirt on the signal caller.
Yes, Johnny Football was arrested last year. Yes, he was shirtless in the mug shot. Yes, the Texas native goes out and parties. No, he isn’t a prototypical college student in that he is treated like a celebrity.
Student-athletes in general have a much harder time than average college students, especially at large, prominent schools like Texas A & M. Whether it’s the 6 a.m. lifting and film sessions, going to class all day and then going right from class to practice, more meetings, more film and oh by the way, homework. Being a student-athlete can be a stressful experience and that’s why not many people choose to embrace that grind.
However, being a student-athlete also has it’s perks. Generally, the jocks are more popular, everyone knows who they are — which is a good and bad thing — and they are sometimes given a little more leeway than a layperson.
Manziel is not only a student-athlete, but a phenom at age 20, who already has a nickname/brand much like Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (RGIII) with his “Johnny Football” name. He may be more in the public eye now than even New England Patriots (I’ll call him tight end) Tim Tebow was during his days at the University of Florida.
While Manziel isn’t exactly a model citizen, he’s also 20 and is in his third year of college. Let the man live.
His father Paul told ESPN this gem of a quote, “He ate Skittles, drank beer and won the Heisman.”
That’s what college kids do.
Once he turns 21 on Dec. 6, underage drinking can be crossed off of the list of red flags with Manziel — even though most college kids participate in this act.
Media across the country have sensationalized his lifestyle choices and made it seem like they would affect the way he plays the game of football.
It’s not TMZ.
Johnny knows the responsibility he has to this team, but the main reason why he plays football, other than to win championships, is to have fun.
With the media circus surrounding his most recent escapades and the fact that he had to take online courses last semester because he was mobbed by students all across College Station, Johnny Football may be subjected to almost too much fame.
Johnny Manziel will not change for anyone. He isn’t trying to please anyone other than his coaching staff and his fans. Yes, young kids probably look up to Johnny as a great quarterback and that’s what he should be known for.
If he were to get arrested or hurt while on his partying journeys and if his lifestyle affects the way he can win football games for the Aggies, I say criticize him. However, even though he has a major responsibility as the leader of this football team, especially with key departures like offensive lineman Luke Joeckel and wide receiver Ryan Swope to the NFL, Manziel needs to have a college experience as well.
Follow me on Twitter @Jeff_Kryglik for my sports observations and opinions.