In 2012, redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel led the Aggies to a 29-24 upset of then #1 Alabama. The youngster zigged and zagged through the stout Crimson Tide defense, at one point fumbling a ball to himself that he turned into a touchdown. The Aggie defense sealed the victory, but Manziel’s heroics were witnessed by the nation at large.
The “Johnny Football” nickname started when Manziel was playing for Tivy High School in Kerrville, but that day in 2012 was when the nickname was earned.
Since then, Manziel has been a polarizing figure across the college football landscape. Some said he was your typical entitled millennial, running roughshod over the traditions and respect earned by those who came before him. Some said he was just a kid having fun. Whatever your opinion of him then, it’s impossible to escape what became of him now.
To say that Manziel flamed out with the Browns is an understatement. His rap sheet was nearly endless, and his name was in the news for partying with rappers rather than completing passes. All defenses of “innocent partying” evaporated like a puddle in the Texas heat after an indictment for a misdemeanor assault with bodily injury charge stemming from an altercation with his girlfriend.
From there, no one really knew what to do with Johnny Manziel. He obviously has talent, that much is certain. For now, it seems that he’s headed back to the land that made him a king.
Johnny Manziel was spotted on Texas A&M’s campus, and according to multiple sources, he has enrolled in classes and is looking to finish his degree.
He's back: Johnny Manziel is back at A&M taking classes.
— Mark Passwaters (@mbpRivals) September 5, 2016
Johnny Manziel has indeed re-enrolled at Texas A&M (h/t @BrandonWheeland): https://t.co/GyzKrQ4X53
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 5, 2016
Manziel did a lot of things during his time in the national spotlight, ranging from unbelievable to criminal. Along the spectrum of things that he’s done in his life, this can be comfortably labeled as “good”.
Good for Johnny heading back to A&M to get his degree. There are many moves he could’ve taken. Hopefully this represents a change for good in Manziel’s decision making.