When it comes to football players there are those that are superstars, those that are not-so superstars, and those that are controversial. There is one “star” lately that has been on the controversial side more than not. That person is Johnny Manziel. Although, controversial and sometimes a twit, Manziel has had some wonderful moments in his career. In today’s Top 5 Tuesday I will take a look at the top 5 moments in Johnny Manziel’s football life.
5. First college start
Johnny Manziel was given a full athletic scholarship to Texas A&M University in 2011. He played under Head Coach Kevin Sumlin from 2011 to 2013. This is where he would make a name for himself. He would have a modest 2 year college career with ups and downs. His first start would come on September 8th, 2012 as a red shirt freshman at home vs the Florida Gators. The Aggies and Manziel would lose 20-17.
4. Beating #1 Alabama
On November 10, 2012 Texas A & M would travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. This is the game that put Johnny Manziel on the map. This would be one of the best games of Manziel’s college career and of the 2012 season. The Aggies would upset the Crimson Tide 29-24 behind Manziel. He would go 24-31 for 253 yds, 2 TDs and no INTs. Now Johnny Football had arrived!
3. Heisman Trophy
In 2012, as a red shirt freshman Johnny Manziel was voted by the writers as the best college football player in the country. Manziel would become the first freshman to win the prestigious award. He had a phenomenal season. He had an upset win over ‘Bama, he would lead the Aggies to an 11-2 record, and a Cotton Bowl Victory over the Oklahoma Sooners. It was just the beginning of what he was projected he could do. What would the future hold, would be the question?
2. 2014 NFL Draft
Manziel would forgo his final 2 seasons at A & M and enter the NFL Draft. The book on Manziel was he lacked size and arm strength to make all the throws in the NFL. His off the field issues were in question as well. Despite this, some still saw Manziel as a possible first round pick. He was passed over by 21 teams, including the Cleveland Browns. However, the Browns would trade back into the first round and draft Manziel 22nd overall.
1. First NFL touchdown
Every kid dreams of growing up and playing professional sports. We are often found, as kids, announcing that game winning TD or home run. Johnny Manziel was no different. On November 30 2014 Johnny Manziel made that dream come true. He would enter a regular season game against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter. He would go 5 of 8 for 63 yards. He would score his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard run in this game. That TD would be the only one the Browns would get that day. The Browns would go on to lose 26-10.
Though the downs out weigh the ups, Johnny Manziel made the big time. It may have just been for a couple of cups of coffee in 2014 and 2015 but he got there. Now out the league and facing legal troubles who knows what is next. Will we ever see Johnny Football again in NFL? That and many more questions will be answered soon enough.