“Wreckless, talented, and cocky,” were the three words junior Jonathan Courtney used to describe Johnny Manziel.  No matter how people may perceive him, they cannot  ignore his story.

  One year ago Johnny Manziel was competing for the starting quarterback at Texas A&M; five months later he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and lead his team to an 11-2 season with a victory in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma.   not to mention the 5,116 total yards he accumulated which is an SEC record.  Everything seemed to be going right for the Heisman winner. In the public’s eyes Manziel seemed like a normal kid with great talent.  “He seemed like a nice guy,” Courtney said.  Little did the public know that there was another side to Johnny Manziel.

  It is known that college students tend to go out and have a good time so when photos first surfaced of Manziel partying, the public shrugged it off.  However, as soon as a picture of him showing off a hand full of bills leaked to the press, people became suspicious. Where did he get that money and why is he in a casino? After all, Manziel is only 20.  The photo shed light on the kind of lifestyle he leads.

  More and more controversial hiccups started to appear around Manziel. The one that really hit home to Texas A&M fans was a particular tweet he sent out on June 16th.  “(Expletive) like tonight is a reason why I can’t wait to leave college station[sic]…whenever it may be.” This comment gave Aggie fans reason to be either be worried or offended.  The story behind the tweet was a parking ticket that Manziel was apparently not happy about. Once word spread of the backstory behind the tweet the controversy cooled down, but  the world got another taste of what Johnny Manziel is really like.  Public opinion started to turn against Manziel. “I felt like he was being reckless for his situation,” said Courtney.

  The most recent altercation was with the NCAA. In early August, “Outside The Lines” broke a story of Manziel being paid “a five figure flat fee,” in exchange for the signing of hundreds of items of memorabilia.  Manziel was now the centerpiece of a downward spiral that could potentially end his college career.  For the next several weeks, ESPN was flooded with the story of the A&M quarterback.  Every day tensions built as people waited to see what penalty, if any, Manziel would receive.  On August 28, the wait was over and a suspension was handed down.  The NCAA found no evidence to back up the allegations, but stated that Manziel inadvertently broke NCAA rules.  Manziel was suspended for the first half of A&M’s season opener against Rice.  Many found that the suspension only raised more questions instead of answering them.

  Whether college football fans like him or not, Johnny Manziel draws in a crowd. “He definitely brings some interest to college football.”  The Johnny Manziel Era is not over.  There are three guarantees this college season; a national champion, close games, and the drama that comes with Johnny Manziel.