The infamous Johnny Manziel, a former Cleveland Browns quarterback, recently came out with a Netflix documentary narrating the highs and lows of his career. Manziel’s career as a quarterback was unique, to say the least; going from a highly anticipated first draft pick player at Texas A&M to skipping an NFL game to party in Las Vegas.
Manziel started off in a football program at Tivy High School in small town Kerrville, Texas. There, he was subject to military style coaching and tons of football, waking up to the sport during first period and having games later in the day. He was able to develop the beginnings of his unique style of play; nimble and tricky enough to leave defense dumbfounded. Reaching statewide headlines, Manziel was picking up significant press attention for his outstanding statistics. He ultimately left Tivy with forty-five touchdowns his last season in 2010 and committed to a Division One institute, Texas A&M University, with a full ride scholarship. This marked the beginning of “Johnny Football.”
While at Texas A&M, Johnny created a fanbase that praised and adored him for bringing up a notoriously adequate football program into a prestigious one. Right before Manziel’s first season with the Aggie’s, athletic director Eric Hyman announced the university would be moving from the Big 12 conference to the prestigious and competitive Southeastern Conference. This would result in a significant change for the university and later contribute to the inconceivable success and legacy Manziel would leave at Texas A&M.
His career at the university was unsurprisingly outstanding, catching the media by wave. He completed 295 of his 434 passes for 3,706 yards, assisted 26 touchdowns only throwing nine interceptions, and made 21 rushing touchdowns in just his freshman year. He was awarded the well esteemed Heisman Trophy for his incredible season and made history by becoming the first freshman to receive the title. After spending three years at Texas A&M, he entered the NFL draft and was the Cleveland Browns first pick and 22nd overall pick for the 2014 draft.
Up until this point, Manziel had a seemingly successful career. It wasn’t until his season with the Browns continued that he made national headlines: for skipping a game to party in Vegas. I have correctly narrated and reported everything that Manziel has done in his career; the unimaginable stats, awards, and accomplishments are all very accurate. What I failed to mention is his intense drug use and addiction, and the “frat boy life” he never failed at pursuing throughout the entirety of his collegiate and professional career. Manziel, recently after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, left the NFL in 2016 after a disappointing two seasons to go on a $5 million bender. This undoubtedly marked the end of his professional football career and the continuation of reckless substance abuse.
Although Manziel ended his football career with disappointments, there’s no doubt that he was an outstanding player apart from his unhealthy lifestyle. Manziel made history multiple times throughout his time with the Aggies and made a lasting name for himself within the fanbase of football. Ultimately, the fallout of his career was due to mental illness and blurring the line between personal life and professional life.
Written by Naima Cho-Khaliq of Thomas S. Wootton High School
Photo Courtesy of Foot Basket