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| Johnny B. Good (sometimes) |
I left college with student loans, searching for a job and not having much of a network after I got off campus...and still felt pretty blessed and lucky to have a Purdue diploma. Conversely, it seems pretty chic for college athletes to continually ask how and why they don't have more than they do...and among entitled college athletes, Manziel seems to be their king.
He's a damned good football player, there's no doubt about that. He made SEC defenses look slow at times last season...before I heard him open his mouth, I thought he was like Drew Brees...times 100. Instant impact. Killer instinct. Quick feet. Excellent decision making ability (on the field). Accurate enough to make defenses pay time and again for gambling...and of course, he's a winner.
He's coached by the guy that I wanted to be coaching Purdue a few seasons ago (have I told you guys that?), one of Purdue's favorite sons, Kevin Sumlin. Texas A&M's fanbase was a sleeping giant awaiting to be nudged...and Sumlin and Johnny Football poked the bear and Aggie fans roared to life.
We Purdue fans love Brees because he's such a great representative of Purdue...but before we knew that he'd be an ambassador at the level he's been, we were pretty damned fond of him as a player because of his competitiveness and results. Brees was the Heisman runner-up...married a verrrrry pretty blonde from our alma mater, went to the NFL, turned two franchises around, won a Super Bowl and has become a darling of the NFL-covering media. Oh yeah, every time he has the chance to positively mention the metallic beige and black, he does so...and his money also goes where his mouth does as he's given millions to God's country's athletic department.
Johnny Manziel, take heed here, bro: Look at Purdue's favorite son for guidance of how to live...and stop following NBA prima donnas around.
Manziel is regularly seen courtside at big NBA games...even in the NBA finals. As you know, I'm not much of a fan of the league, BUT, I do know that those seats cost a dime or two...and unless you're a Heisman Trophy winner and/or an extremely rich and connected guy, you're not getting those seats. Just ask Lil' Wayne a year ago.
So when Manziel isn't sitting in $10,000 seats, he's flashing stacks of green, hanging with women who look like strippers or beauty queens, meeting celebs, having people buy him expensive drinks and pretty much getting comped everywhere he goes. You can't really fault someone for enjoying the spoils of not only being the BMOC, but the BM in America, really.
I did a five minute research project and found Manziel literally all over America, in dugouts, locker rooms, parties and on TV shows. I pretty much hate celebrity gossip shows, so much of this was news to me...BUT, all of it seems like an NCAA violation. There's no subtlety, no gray area really...aOSU players got busted for tattoos due to the fact that they were Buckeyes...I'm pretty sure Manziel isn't buying his own tickets and field passes...or airfare, for that matter. If he were, he'd have racked up about $2 million dollars on the AmEx in this calendar year alone. And let's be naive for a moment and act like he did it all on his own dime; he could once again take a lesson from Purdue's old #15.
When Brees was on the verge of becoming a millionaire following his Senior season, I saw him at Purdue's Spring game...wearing a button down shirt, baseball cap, khaki shorts and flip flops. Like Manziel, Brees isn't a physically-imposing guy...so he can blend in pretty well, if he wants to. But that's clearly not J. Football's m.o. BUT, imploring people to empathize with the spoils that come with a jet setter's lifestyle falls on completely deaf ears for 99.99% of America, even those in College Station, I'd bet.
Don't ever forget that I love A&M with all of my heart, but please please walk a day in my shoes
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) June 16, 2013
Texas A&M was the team I pulled for last year when not rooting for Purdue simply because of Sumlin's leadership...but now, I'm forced to root heavily against Manziel and company because he's become the Justin Bieber of college football.
Can T A&M take the next step in the coming season and be crowned as national champs? Based on what I'm seeing form their QB, I'd bet no...and I'd also guess that he doesn't care too much. He's gotten his, and continues to do so.
Earlier, I told you how about I thought Manziel was like Brees, but better. But after looking at the two, something is very clear. One is a truly better man, the other is a petulant little boy who wants to be treated like a man. For his sake, hopefully Manziel grows up a bit before he gets his wish and leaves College Station...because I'm sure he's taking everything for granted at this point and is destined to join Ryan Leaf, Matt Jones, Jamarcus Russell and others as a "what might have been" players who never reached their full potential due to hubris, poor attitude and work ethic and bad decisions.
As I referenced, I'm a huge fan of Kevin Sumlin...he'll earn his money this coming season as he attempts to wrangle Manziel's ego and fit his ginormous head into an A&M helmet.
Millions of people would give anything to walk a day in your shoes, you a-hole.
ReplyDelete(Manziel, not you, BD.)
ReplyDeleteYeah - the funny thing is that as bad as the first tweet was, the second tweet to justify it was even more disgusting.
ReplyDeleteThe first tweet made me say "oh, gee, here's a 20 year old kid who hasn't quite learned how to keep his mouth shut yet." The second one made me say, "oh, gee, this guy's a ass."
GREAT STUFF J. Looks like Johnny Foosball has made his bed. And if SEC defenders didn't already have a bounty on his head...they do now. It should be very fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteHe is a child. Brees was mature beyond his years and carried the mantle of team leader with pride. Little Johnny needs to step back and evaluate his station before he makes a very big mistake. If I was Sumlin, I would be in his face starting now.
ReplyDeleteSome of the stuff does seem a little iffy, the clubhouse visits, throwing out first pitches, that's not stuff "available to the average student."
ReplyDeleteBut before we throw stones it should be known Manziel's parents are LOADED with Texas oil money.
It isn't worth getting frustrated over idiots like this. It doesn't change anything about him.
ReplyDeleteThough this may seem to be a bit off-topic, I've been following Penn State's Matt McGloin as he tries to become a professional athlete. He is up against Matt Flynn (LSU) and Terelle Pryor (aOSU) to become a Raider QB. Like Manziel, Pryor is another gifted athlete who has been told "You're the greatest!" since childhood. During his time in Columbus there was some discussion about Pryor playing college basketball. And then came the tattoos. Pryor has been given everything on a silver platter and has made it on pure talent.
ReplyDeleteMcGloin, however, was not offered a scholarship to go to Penn State but walked-onto the team. He was up against five other QB's and earned a scholarship, eventually becoming a starter. McGloin benefited greatly from Bill O'Brien's tutelage. O'Brien put him into a pro system (the New England Patriots') and called plays that went to his strengths. McGloin became a solid if unspectacular college QB. He made mincemeat out of Purdue's defense at the only game I attended this past season.
There is no doubt that Matt McGloin will succeed in the NFL. He will play with a chip on his shoulder and will scratch and claw to earn a position. By the end of Raider training camp Matt McGloin will beat-out Terrelle Pryor for a position on the team. Pryor will either be cut or else asked to play wide receiver.
What does this have to do with Purdue? Personally, I'm glad Purdue doesn't attract athletes like John Manziel or Terrelle Pryor but does attract young men such as Drew Brees and Robbie Hummel. And who knows? Maybe there is a Matt McGloin out there somewhere in Indiana, Ohio or Illinois who would come to West Lafayette for a great education, thank God every morning that he's a Boilermaker, give everything he has in practice, and then play on Saturdays with a big chip on his shoulder. Wouldn't that be nice?
"but now, I'm forced to root heavily against Manziel and company because he's become the Justin Bieber of college football."
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way. Well said. Humble and genuine stars like Brees are truly rare.
His parents are also loaded
ReplyDeleteI thought he made all his money from being on Malcom in the Middle?
ReplyDeleteToday, Deadspin posted that he was all pissy about a parking ticket with that tweet. Even more reason to make fun of him.
ReplyDeleteIS IT FOOTBALL SEASON YET?????? DAMN this SUCKS! Makes me want World League back...or something. Kinda makes me want to beg you guys to cover recruiting! Back to Tecmo Bowl...where the Raiders rule...LOL
ReplyDelete