Sep 16, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Former Texas A&M Aggies player Johnny Manziel watches from the sideline during the first half of the game between the Aggies and the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel done with Heisman ceremony over Reggie Bush

Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will no longer participate in the annual trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush is welcomed back into the Heisman fraternity, Manziel announced Saturday.

“After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until @ReggieBush gets his trophy back,” Manziel, the 2012 winner, posted to his X, formerly Twitter, account. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.

“Do the RIGHT thing @NCAA the ball is in your court.”

Bush won the 2005 Heisman Trophy to wrap up his stellar career at Southern California, where he ran for 3,169 yards, gained 1,301 receiving yards and returned kickoffs and punts for a combined 2,082 yards. He totaled 42 touchdowns and also threw a 52-yard touchdown pass.

In 2005, he was a first-team All-American and named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

But he was stripped of his Heisman Trophy and his NCAA stats after a four-year investigation by the NCAA showed that Bush and his family took improper financial benefits, including cash and paid-for housing.

When name, image and likeness legislation was enacted in 2021, Bush asked the NCAA to reinstate his status. The Heisman Trust said it would consider giving back his trophy if the NCAA agreed to reinstate him, which the organization declined to do.

Manziel recently told Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast that he intends to fight for Bush.

“I’m gonna continue to do everything that I can in my power, whatever that may be. … But for what I can in my part, I will always stand on this table right here for Reggie Bush and do anything that I can in my power to make sure that it’s possible for him to even get his trophy back,” said Manziel, who won his Heisman while playing for Texas A&M.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; SEC Network announcer Johnny Manziel looks on prior to the SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Manziel says he attempted suicide after Browns release

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel said he attempted suicide after the Cleveland Browns released him in March 2016.

Manziel said in the Netflix documentary “Untold: Johnny Football” that he purchased a gun and went on a “$5 million bender” in which he wanted to spend money before taking his life.

“I had planned to do everything I wanted to do at that point in my life, spend as much money as I possibly could and then my plan was to take my life,” Manziel said in an exclusive interview with USA Today. “I wanted to get as bad as humanly possible where it made sense and it made it seem like an excuse and an out for me.”

Manziel’s attempt to take his life failed, however, as the gun apparently malfunctioned.

“Still to this day, don’t know what happened. But the gun just clicked on me,” Manziel said in the documentary, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday.

Manziel, 30, said in the documentary that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The failed suicide attempt resulted in him leaving Los Angeles and returning to his family’s home in Texas.

“It’s been a long, long road, and I don’t know if it’s been great or it’s been bad. That’s kind of still up for debate,” his father, Paul Manziel, says in the documentary, according to multiple reports. “But we’re blessed. And he’s still with us. And we can mend all the fences still. I think Johnny’s got a lot better days coming than what he’s had.”

A Heisman Trophy winner in 2012, Johnny Manziel was selected by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

He completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games (eight starts). He also rushed 46 times for 259 yards and a score.

Manziel also played with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2018 and Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

–Field Level Media

Johnny Manziel: 'I've made some rookie mistakes'

<p> Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel struck a humble tone, acknowledging some missteps this offseason where he's partied hard everywhere from Las Vegas to Texas to Los Angeles.</p> <p> "At the end of the day, I've made some rookie mistakes,'' Manziel said upon reporting to training camp. "There's some things that I wish I could've gone back and done a little differently, but I'm continuing to move forward and trying to represent this organization in a positive manner and a positive light, so just very excited to be back in camp and it's football 24/7 and that's what I love doing. That's what I live for and it's what my job, so for me, I'm very excited to be back and can't wait to get this underway.''</p> <p> Manziel was photographed while rolling up a $20 bill, causing concern with the Browns.</p> <p> Does he think it's hurt his chances of winning the starting job?</p> <p> "I don't think (it's hurt me),'' Manziel said. "I think there are definitely things I can do moving forward to better act as a professional and at the same time I'm still learning how to do that, still getting used to this role, still getting used to this league, still getting used to being a pro football player. I'm not in college anymore and there's just things I need to do better and that's just part of being a professional. Hopefully with time and going through this season and as time goes on, I'll get better at doing that.''</p> <p> Manziel opened his press conference saying he's had a long talk with coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer about his behavior.</p> <p> "Just to save you guys a lot of time, me and coach Pettine and Ray Farmer have really talked about a lot of things that have transpired over the course of the offseason. For me, my main thing is, people within this building, my teammates, the coaching staff, the higher-ups in this organization we've all been on the same page, we've all been good and very eager to be moving forward.''</p> <p> When asked about the dollar bill rolling photo, Manziel didn't address it publicly.</p> <p> "I think I just spoke on that a little bit, that we're going to keep these things (private),'' Manziel said. "I've talked about that with coach Pettine, I've talked about it with Ray Farmer and the people I need to talk about that with, and moving forward they're good with everything, and I've told them everything that I need to and everything's been good.''</p> <p> Manziel did make it clear, though, that he's not done having fun. The frat party will continue at some point in the future.</p> <p> "I don't think there's anything wrong with me going out and having a nightlife, having a social life,'' Manziel said. "I mean I am 21 years old and I do like going out and it was the offseason. It's free time for us and if I want to go out and hang out with my friends or go to nightclubs or do things like that then I think that's within my rights to be doing that and I think there's other guys throughout the league that are doing that and I'm not trying to compare myself to anybody else but I think that's within my rights to be doing that.''</p> <p> Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/RavensInsider">@RavensInsider</a></p> <p> Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun</p> <p> Even though he'll start out camp with the second-team offense, Manziel is determined to beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job.</p> <p> "I think coach Pettine and the staff here has called this an open competition and I believe that it is,'' Manziel said. "I'm just trying to get in here everyday and trying to be better as a player, as a teammate, really hone in on my craft and try and make this football team as good as I possibly can. Whatever my role is on this team, I think that will be decided with the play within these next few weeks.</p> <p> "At the end of the day what I want is what's best for this team and what's best for this organization moving forward because this is about the Cleveland Browns. This isn't about me, this is about Brian, this isn't about just the quarterback position. It's 22 positions on this team to make this thing work and come together, so it's not just about us.''</p> <p> Coach Pettine re-iterated that it will be 'very difficult' for Manziel to win the job, but that he's ahead of where they expected in the playbook. He said the staff has been very pleased with Manziel's attention to detail and knowledge and conditioning.</p> <p> "He's very focused,'' said Pettine. "That's already shown up by the way he attacked his conditioning test and how he's been on the field and in the meeting rooms these past couple of days.''</p> <p> He added that Manziel's biggest battle will be between him and the playbook and not between him and Hoyer.</p> <p> "I interpret it exactly the way he said it,'' Manziel said. "It's not two short little plays anymore. You have a lot to a play call, you have a lot to read, you have a lot of different things that weren't asked of me at (Texas) A&amp;M. You have to deal with protections, deal with certain things and moving forward, yeah I have to adapt to that. I have to get better and continue to learn the game of football more and more. I'm not sitting up here today saying I know everything or I'm even close to perfecting this thing. I'm still a young guy, a young player and there's a lot to learn and a lot for me to do moving forward.''</p> <p> Manziel stressed that his mindset is to bring it on and that he doesn't feel like the underdog at all.</p> <p> "I'm absolutely a very competitive person and I'm going to come out here everyday and compete,'' he said. "I'm not going to back down from any kind of competition or anybody that really tests me but at the same time I'm worried about myself and getting better as a football player and getting better at drops, throwing with accuracy, throwing on the run and everything, really commanding a huddle, letting these guys see me on the field more and more. There's a lot that comes with being a rookie. I haven't been here very long so there's a lot.''</p> <p> He said he's anticipating a warm welcome from Browns fans tomorrow, some of the same folks that have catapulted him to No. 1 in the NFL in jersey sales.</p> <p> "The fans have been incredible,'' he said. "From the day that I got drafted in New York they've been incredible. The buzz about sports in this city in general, not just football but you look at basketball now, you look at the Indians, but especially with the Browns, this state, this town has been great for us and it's been great to me personally.''</p> <p> Manziel might be No. 1 in jersey sales, but he knows he's the No. 2 most popular athlete in town with his good buddy LeBron James back.</p> <p> "Obviously, I think it's great for this city. I think it's great for the Cavs. I think it's great for me,'' he said. "It's obviously a very good friend of mine and now moving forward pretty much a business partner of mine. I've exchanged texts back and forth and him being in the area, right down the road definitely excites me.</p> <p> "It's going to be awesome to go to Cavs games and watch him play, the best basketball player in the world play s
o I'm very excited and excited he can come watch us play and be involved with this program again like he was before. More than anything, I'm happy for him and his family and being able to come back home and he loves it here."</p> <p> Johnny Mania will get going full swing Saturday morning when training camp opens to the public at 9:30 a.m.</p> <p> "I'm very excited to be back in Cleveland, back with the teammates, the coaches, just being in the environment, I think everybody's ready to get back to football, get back to what we all love doing,'' he said.<br />  </p>

NFL Conversations

<p> <strong>Tony Dungy’s comments on Michael Sam:</strong> Everyone in the NFL (players, coaches, execs, media, etc.) who knows Tony Dungy, also knows that Tony is as solid of a man as there is, in/or out of the league. He’s direct, honest, modest, thoughtful, considerate, accessible, and a bigger man than most people who have coached in the league. The people that know him knew exactly what he meant when he made those comments about not wanting to draft Michael Sam.</p> <p> When I saw his comments I knew exactly what he was saying. You see, Tony is so honest that he speaks without a filter. I remember at the Combine in 2005 he told me he was drafting my client, DT Jonathan Babineaux, in the 2nd round if he was there. However, the Falcons drafted him a pick before the Colts could snag him. Later on, I had several people within the Colts organization tell me that they were going to take Jonathan with that 2nd round pick. I was surprised Tony told me that they were going to pick my client but as they say, “he’s honest to a fault”.</p> <p> So the fact that Tony’s comment got so much national attention, reiterates what he sincerely meant. He was simply saying, “it’s NOT Sam who would cause the distraction, it will be the media that will aggressively, persistently, obnoxiously and sometimes recklessly, be the distraction and constant maintenance for the head coach and his organization. Tony obviously wouldn’t want the responsibility of dealing with the added work in dealing with the media if Sam were on his team. Because Tony knows himself too well, he knew that if he did draft Michael Sam, he would have gone the extra mile, spent the energy needed, and made it a very personal responsibility to protect Sam from any media circus that could follow him or distract his team.</p> <p> The reality is that many GMs and head coaches didn’t draft Sam this year because of the same reason Tony said he wouldn’t. But unlike Tony (who is retired), they can’t and won’t voice it publicly.</p> <p> There are many head coaches who didn’t sign Tim Tebow (as a backup), Chad Johnson, Michael Vick, and/or Brett Farve for the same exact reason. They are media maintenance intensive.</p> <p> <strong>The Falcons and Hard Knocks:</strong> GM Thomas Dimitroff, HC Mike Smith and company were not HBO’s top pick for Hard Knocks this year. They sought out the Browns (Johnny Manziel), Seahawks, Eagles, Raiders, Redskins, Niners, and several other teams before shaking down the Falcons to ‘yes’.</p> <p> The Falcons will end up being a good choice though for several reasons. For one, football fans are going to get a good look at why Mike (Smity) Smith, is one of the most loved coaches in the league. His players absolutely love him. We are also going to see one of the more seamless and sound organizations in the league, where everyone is on the same page. Everyone from the owner to the equipment manager is reading from the same script. The Falcons are considered one of the top organizations in the league from a management standpoint. Agents trust and like them, coaches respect them and the owner truly cares about his players. They might not be the most entertaining group, but we are going to get a good look at a solid organization.</p> <p> <strong>Two teams on the move?</strong> Will the Buffalo Bills be moved at some point, regardless of who ends up buying them? And what about the Jaguars? Will they be the London Jaguars within the next five years? What I am hearing from people within the league is this: The league office wants the Bills to stay put. They feel that a new owner moving the Bills will send the wrong message to fans everywhere around the league. The Bills, being one of the league’s foundation teams, should forever remain a fixture in Buffalo.</p> <p> As for the Jaguars, my bet is that they end up in London. The new owner, Shahid Khan has made a valiant effort to make things work in Jacksonville. He’s doing and saying all the right things. However, if he decides to move the team across the pond, the league would give him a police escort to London.</p> <p> The league has proven that they are committed to international expansion and the Jags are the prime candidates to make the move.</p> <p> Another interesting component of this conversation is the article written by <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-nfl-la-qa-farmer-20140720-story.html" target="_blank">Sam Farmer of the LA Times</a>. He builds a nice case of why the league may build and own a stadium in LA. Even if it is just talk by the league, it gives those teams who need/want a new stadium or want improvements leverage with their current landlord.</p> <p> <em>Follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jackbechta" target="_blank">@Jackbechta </a></em></p>