Johnny Manziel’s career didn’t go as planned, but the former Heisman Trophy winner is still beloved by Texas A&M. Manziel became a cult hero in College Station, and one fan tried to have his own piece of history last month when he stole one of Manziel’s jerseys from the university’s Hall of Champions.
Johnny Manziel’s uniform stolen from Texas A&M’s Hall of Champions: https://t.co/E9fegqUdBF pic.twitter.com/20ub5VMw9c
— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 13, 2019
According to the Bryan-College Station Eagle, an unidentified individual stole a Manziel game-worn jersey off of a mannequin in an exhibit that highlighted Texas A&M’s two Heisman Trophy winners. Police released a picture of the individual yesterday afternoon, and he was identified in less than two hours.
It’s been an interesting year for Manziel, the football player. Manziel only lasted two seasons in the NFL before being released by the Cleveland Browns in early 2016. He has been trying to return to the league since then, but he has run into multiple speed bumps along the way.
Manziel went north to play for the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in 2018, but he did not fare well in the quarterback-friendly league. The former Heisman Trophy winner averaged just 7.8 yards per attempt and threw seven interceptions compared to just five touchdowns.
He was released by Montreal and barred from playing in the CFL in late February, leading to Johnny Football signing with the Memphis Express of the short-lived AAF. Manziel appeared in two games for Memphis, completing five of eight passes for 61 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
If you’re an AAF player and the league does dissolve. The last check you got will be the last one that you get. No lawsuit or anything else will get you your bread. Save your money and keep your head up. It’s the only choice at this point unless something drastic happens.
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) April 2, 2019
After the league unexpectedly folded before the end of the regular season, Manziel gave some prescient advice to other AAF players. His words proved correct as the AAF’s messy situation unfolded, and no player has been paid the remaining amount on his contract since the league dissolved.
Manziel is now a spokesman for a car insurance company, leading to an incredible exchange between former NFL wide receiver Antonio Bryant and the car insurance company on Twitter last week.
.@JManziel2 lost some weight and became a @Panthers fan. pic.twitter.com/pelgo3x6TU
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) September 13, 2019
Former Cleveland Browns teammate Joe Thomas spotted a Johnny Manziel doppelganger during last night’s Thursday Night Football game between Tampa Bay and Carolina too, continuing the trend of Manziel making the news.
H/T ESPN and 247 Sports
