Johnny Football

[MerrittsMustache]

I drank in college. I won wads of cash at a Potawatomi blackjack table and took a photo. If Twitter was around I'd probably have posted that photo and been caught up in one of these "twitter-fights". I never played college football but Tim Tebow did and he used to gator chomp his ass off after burning multiple SEC secondaries.

Surely this doesn't make me and/or Timmy a punk, does it? crap, at your rate, nearly every single student in America over the last five years is a punk as it'd be pretty easy to tick off three of those four events listed.

I'll post it again...When you're a college athlete, particularly one in the national spotlight, and you continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them, you lose the right to complain about being treated unfairly when you get called out for continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them.

[JWags85]

I agree with those who have said the only thing that is a real issue is the autograph situation.  A Rice player already came out and said his "trash-talking" on the field was nothing and one of the incidents that Mark May freaked out about was him telling the dude "nice hit".  

Mark May is a great example of the hypocritical BS.  He's one of the talking heads fueling the anti-Manziel fire, talking about him being a disgrace yet he's the same clown who was arrested for threatening officers and inciting a riot in college and then got a pair of DUIs while playing in the NFL.

People are quick to label Manziel a punk and I don't think its fair.  He's under ridiculous scrutiny and expectations so I think people need to slow themselves to judgement.  I'd recommend you don't look into the activities of your college aged kids and acquaintances cause you'll find out he's not some incorrigible wild child, he's a kid.  Lets save that "held to a higher standard as an athlete" for when he's a pro, not a 20 year old student.

Now back to your regularly scheduled pearl clutching.

[brandx]

No.  They haven't been.  I mean, he shouldn't be getting flags, but outside of that I have no problem with what he has been doing.  (Both sides were talking during that game before Manziel even started playing.)  And the media piling on, including the blowhards at ESPN, has been pretty stupid.

If they keep that up, I am going to openly root for him and A&M to win the national championship.

+1

Gotta love all of the "responsible adults" tsk tsk'ing at a college kid. Isn't "these kids nowadays" a national pastime?

He's just a punky kid seeking attention. So what! Maybe his hero growing up was Jim McMahon.

[tower912]

If this thread was about an MU player, somebody would end up getting banned. 

[brandx]

Let's talk about Tim Tebow instead 

[Pakuni]

+1

Gotta love all of the "responsible adults" tsk tsk'ing at a college kid. Isn't "these kids nowadays" a national pastime?

He's just a punky kid seeking attention. So what! Maybe his hero growing up was Jim McMahon.

Jim McMahon is the worst.
I do have some sympathy for his current circumstance, but still .... the worst.

[brandx]

Jim McMahon is the worst.
I do some sympathy for his current circumstance, but still .... the worst.

Can't disagree with that. Charles Martin is still my hero.

[GGGG]

Can't disagree with that. Charles Martin is still my hero.

Egh....

Charles Martin was symbolic of those POS Packer teams under Forrest Gregg.  Complete tool on a team full of them.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

That amount of money really isn't unheard of. My brother is a HS football coach in the Chicago suburbs (who also teaches math) and makes close to $90k.

That's a big difference compared to only a coach making $75,000/year.

[brandx]

Egh....

Charles Martin was symbolic of those POS Packer teams under Forrest Gregg.  Complete tool on a team full of them.

Don't worry - just a joke

[g0lden3agle]

I wonder if this thread was about a MU player and the same comments were made.........

Wow

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

For the people who pay zero attention to college football, can someone summarize what this guy is accused of? Thanks for rewarding my laziness.

[forgetful]

Well stated.



OH MY GOD!!!  Drinking while underage???  Holding money???  Tweet-fights???

THE OUTRAGE!!!!!

The difference between him and normal students is his problems are severe enough that he has had to seek treatment for alcohol abuse and anger issues.  That is not remotely normal.

Also, he has shown a distinct issue with defying coaches and mentors, again not typical college behavior.  He's burned so many bridges it is a bit ridiculous.  He is one mistake away from turning himself into a 4-5th round draft pick. 

Also, TAMU, we must know different A&M fans, maybe different age groups, because most I know think he is a D-bag, a D-bag they will root for however.

[Dish]

I love the guy, he should 100% embrace being a heel.

If he comes out one week with sunglasses and a black spray painted on beard, I fully endorse it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Wow

Just remember...it's ok to trash others (players, coaches, parents, etc) and please do so often.....others that is.

[Pakuni]

I love the guy, he should 100% embrace being a heel.

If he comes out one week with sunglasses and a black spray painted on beard, I fully endorse it.

And chewing on a toothpick 
Don't forget the toothpick.

[NersEllenson]

Enjoy watching Johnny Football play football...easy to judge another when you've never walked a day in their shoes.  He's 20 years old, wants to have some fun that typical 20 year olds have...don't see a whole lot wrong.  He's a lightening rod for sure, thus the over-exposure/attention. 

I loved his point at the scoreboard to the Rice player this past weekend...saw the Clemson quarterback do the "cash" thing with his fingers as he went into the endzone....pretty soon college football will also become the NFL - No Fun League.

The Rice players were trying to get in his head, talking sh$t...have ZERO problem with a guy who talks sh$t back and can back it up, as Manziel thus far has...

[Dish]

And chewing on a toothpick 
Don't forget the toothpick.

"Hey yo".

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'll post it again...When you're a college athlete, particularly one in the national spotlight, and you continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them, you lose the right to complain about being treated unfairly when you get called out for continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them.

All true....now you understand why some of us were not thrilled with actions of some of our guys.  They are held to a different standard, in the public spotlight, everyone with a cell phone camera, everyone tweeting, etc.  It sucks, but you have to be careful.  I feel bad for Johnny Football, he does somet stupid stuff but he also has thousands of people that can't wait to take him down a peg as well and get their 15 seconds of fame by posting pictures, etc. 

[forgetful]

I'll post it again...When you're a college athlete, particularly one in the national spotlight, and you continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them, you lose the right to complain about being treated unfairly when you get called out for continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them.

I agree with this completely, but will add another aspect.  If any other college student did the things he did, everyone would call him an A$$ or jerk (or alcoholic) and proceed to ignore them.  Manziel acts the same way and we call him an A$$ and a jerk (or alcoholic), but are forced to continuously see him day in and day out continuing to act like he does.  So it gets more attention.

Many college students go out have a few drinks and have fun with friends.  Maybe even do some stupid things from time to time.  However, they don't all go out an try it instigate things, draw attention to theirselves, act out and treat those around them like crap every day.  Those that do, correctly get labeled accordingly and frankly face friendship and career consequences.  The same is happening to Manziel.  So I'm not sure why people think he is being treated unfairly. 

If he wants to live big, he is going to fall big too.  Frankly his actions are a manifestation of deeper seated issues and he would be wise to heed the warning from the media and shape up before it destroys his career before he even gets started.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Also, TAMU, we must know different A&M fans, maybe different age groups, because most I know think he is a D-bag, a D-bag they will root for however.

I've met those too. Most of the ones I have met are Old Ags. Men who were in the corps and still abide by the strict honor code that they had when they were students. Also, not all the faculty and staff are thrilled but I think most are pro-Johnny.

I work with current A&M students and that's the opinions I was basing my post on. I'm sure there are younger fans who feel the same way, but they are definitely a minority on campus.

[Golden Avalanche]

I'll post it again...When you're a college athlete, particularly one in the national spotlight, and you continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them, you lose the right to complain about being treated unfairly when you get called out for continuously do stupid things and then publicly brag about them.

Athlete or not, many college kids do stupid things and brag about them (e.g. the Iowa girl who blew a .341 trying to run onto the football field and then spent the next 12 hours on and off tweeting about how awesome she is). I'm not so high and mighty as to differentiate between one who's the daughter of my neighbor and one who plays football.

Call me when Johnny Manziel sexually assaults a person. Call me when Johnny Manziel is charged with assault and battery. Call me when Johnny Manziel is caught dead to rights with academic fraud. A college kid drinking? A college kid with money? A college kid talking smack on twitter? An athlete being cocky on the field of play? Much ado about nothing and a level of "stupidity" that many here engaged (or engage) in.

With sensitivities like yours, it's hard to think you could even open the door and retrieve the newspaper without being outraged.

[Golden Avalanche]

I agree with this completely, but will add another aspect.  If any other college student did the things he did, everyone would call him an A$$ or jerk (or alcoholic) and proceed to ignore them.  Manziel acts the same way and we call him an A$$ and a jerk (or alcoholic), but are forced to continuously see him day in and day out continuing to act like he does.  So it gets more attention.

Many college students go out have a few drinks and have fun with friends.  Maybe even do some stupid things from time to time.  However, they don't all go out an try it instigate things, draw attention to theirselves, act out and treat those around them like crap every day.  Those that do, correctly get labeled accordingly and frankly face friendship and career consequences.  The same is happening to Manziel.  So I'm not sure why people think he is being treated unfairly. 

If he wants to live big, he is going to fall big too.  Frankly his actions are a manifestation of deeper seated issues and he would be wise to heed the warning from the media and shape up before it destroys his career before he even gets started.

Sparing all the naivety and bullshit psychoanalysis, what's the basis for the part I bolded?

What are the "things" Manziel instigated? Other then being a typical drawing attention to the themselves 20 year-old, what did Manziel do? And how are you so certain he treats all those around him like crap every day?

[Lennys Tap]

Call me when Johnny Manziel sexually assaults a person. Call me when Johnny Manziel is charged with assault and battery. Call me when Johnny Manziel is caught dead to rights with academic fraud. A college kid drinking? A college kid with money? A college kid talking smack on twitter? An athlete being cocky on the field of play? Much ado about nothing and a level of "stupidity" that many here engaged (or engage) in.

With sensitivities like yours, it's hard to think you could even open the door and retrieve the newspaper without being outraged.

I'm with you, Lanche. Remember all the hand wringing here when some of our guys were cited for being in a bar (not drinking) underage? A total non story, but if you listened to the radio or some here it was big news. I wonder what part envy plays in all of this.

[MerrittsMustache]

Athlete or not, many college kids do stupid things and brag about them (e.g. the Iowa girl who blew a .341 trying to run onto the football field and then spent the next 12 hours on and off tweeting about how awesome she is). I'm not so high and mighty as to differentiate between one who's the daughter of my neighbor and one who plays football.

Call me when Johnny Manziel sexually assaults a person. Call me when Johnny Manziel is charged with assault and battery. Call me when Johnny Manziel is caught dead to rights with academic fraud. A college kid drinking? A college kid with money? A college kid talking smack on twitter? An athlete being cocky on the field of play? Much ado about nothing and a level of "stupidity" that many here engaged (or engage) in.

With sensitivities like yours, it's hard to think you could even open the door and retrieve the newspaper without being outraged.

You sure sound like someone who's pretty high and mighty.

Does your neighbor's daughter go to school for free? Is she a well-known representative of her university? Is she a role model to young people across the country? If you're on the "everyone's doing it, so it's fine" train, good for you. Personally, I hold people to a higher standard than that. Are you not familiar with the biblical notion that to whom much is given, much is required?  

Manziel was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors. I assume you're fine with that though since other 19-year-olds have gotten into fights and then produced a fake ID.