Johnny Manziel was a football icon beyond the Texas A&M fan base. Young men idolized him, girls fanned over him and the name Johnny Football and Money Manziel came to be. He was in a positive spotlight his entire career at A&M. But as a Cleveland Brown, the focus began to change. What we saw in the media was no longer about football and the great player he was. What became prominent to us were the decisions he made off the field, particularly his behavior in the night clubs and his relationship with women. In the TV news, on the radio, and in the tabloids, there are constantly stories about Johnny in Cabo, his drug and alcohol use, the mistreatment of his girlfriend. But even during his time playing at A&M he had the party boy reputation. His off-field behavior was wilder than other quarterbacks yet football was his ultimate priority. He entered the draft, went to play for the Browns and for some reason the great football player that he was was left behind. With all the recent conversations I wonder what happened to the Johnny Football we thought we knew.
It is not uncommon for athletes and other celebrities to be altered by fame. It is unfortunate to see great talent go to waste and in Johnny’s case have his professional career likely be over before it started. It has been said that; “Fame may be the spur that drives young rock bands to success- but it can also be a killer when it finally arrives.” The same can be said for professional athletes. Fame is often what young people seek but once they have it, it can consume them.
In an article by USA Today, Johnny was quoted saying “I’m doing the same stuff that I have always done. Except now people care what I am doing.” He didn’t ask for the glare of the spotlight, but it was on him because of his unique talent. He has always been the person he is and the spotlight has revealed it. He says that he needs to handle himself better in public, but what he needs to do is become a better person. Winning the Heisman trophy is a goal for all great football players. But winning it brings you more than just success and honor, “the social media publicity rush has been a reminder that there is good and bad news about winning the Heisman.” No matter what he does, appropriate or not the spotlight that fame has brought will always reveal the truth.
