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| Johnny Manziel living large. Photo credit @jmanziel2 |
Envy is the worst of the deadliest sins, as it doesn't even feel good temporarily. I don't criticize Johnny Manziel because of resentment, I do so to juxtapose Johnny's recent transgressions with prior athletes.
Three weeks after receiving the Heisman, Johnny Manziel & sister Mari received Rolex watches for Christmas. Mari Manziel Tweeted: Matching Watches @jmanziel2 #Twinsies with an Instagram Photo attached.
In reality they weren't matching, Johnny got gold & Mari diamonds. The younger Manziel was flabbergasted when twitter followers berated her about the opulent display, replying via Twitter:
'I didn't realize it was so wrong for me and Johnny to get Christmas gifts from our family.'
Despite her youth, tweeting pictures of rolexes I'd appraise at $ 65,000 is not only in bad taste, it's downright trashy. I get dismayed when people chastise wealthy people, but even more defiant when wealthy folks flaunt their blessings. It's unbecoming, but it's how the Manziel's do it.
I've been an ardent Johnny Manziel defender, but the recent episode forced a reevaluation. I chalked up getting kicked out of Manning Passing Academy, getting booted from a Texas Frat, being arrested for a Fake ID & other escapades from the 'Typical College Kid' stance. I gave Manziel the benefit of the doubt, cognizant that his new national status was a lot to handle. When hearing others argue Johnny had been spoiled since adolescence & wouldn't work hard at the NFL level; I'd assert the Manning's didn't exactly come from humble roots. I was your typical Manziel apologist, who felt Johnny Football would grow up, gain humility & become a Face of an NFL Franchise.
We haven't had a College Athlete of Manziel's profile since Tim Tebow, and the two couldn't contrast more evidently; Tebow went on Mission Trips to the Philippines, Johnny parties in Vegas. The juxtapositions could go on, but they're trivial. Both dealt with the spotlight differently, Tebow sought to become a role model & Johnny wants the benefits of national fame combined with the normalcy of a typical college experience. These two desires are inherently at odds, and put Johnny Football in compromising situations, where he must make decisions mindful of the repercussions from his national profile.
Now, on the autograph saga; Johnny saw virtually all those around him profiting of his success, and wanted a sliver of the pie. The decision was reckless, and was the entire reason the Manziel's gave Johnny the Mercedes & Credit Card- so he wouldn't accept improper benefits & be suspended.
Collegiate Athletes accept benefits, a recent example being Terrelle Pryor & Ohio State Buckeye Teammates exchanging Bowl paraphernalia for tattoos. The list of athletes busted for accepting improper benefits is long & distinguished; but Manziel's case is unique.
Johnny had the financial resources to purchase nearly anything he so wanted. Trading autographs for roughly $ 15,000 wasn't to feed or cloth himself, it was merely to make money, seemingly irrelevant money when your family is in the millionaire bracket. It was a betrayal of his teammates, coaches & University. It was selfish, and an example of an athlete putting his own ego before the team. So as we discuss the trivial NCAA bylaws restricting athletes from prospering financially from their own notoriety, Manziel is as an isolated case. Johnny should not only be suspended for the 2013 season, Texas A&M should show backbone & kick their star Quarterback off the team. That's the price for betraying your teammates, let that be the lesson of this ordeal.
Follow me on Twitter: @nfldraftbites
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