Johnny Manziel — 2012 Heisman winner
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In 2012, Manziel made history as the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, following an exceptional season at Texas A&M.
Known as “Johnny Football,” he accumulated 3,706 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, along with 1,410 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Manziel returned for another year with the Aggies, concluding the season with 4,114 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, in addition to 759 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
After just two seasons in college, he opted to enter the NFL Draft and was selected 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
However, prior to making his NFL debut, the Browns expressed concerns over Manziel’s off-field partying habits. His issues escalated, which included an incident where he made an obscene gesture at the Washington bench during a preseason game in August, leading to a stint in treatment in January 2015.
During a post-game press conference, he acknowledged that he often engages in “words exchanged” during games, stating, “I should’ve been smarter … I need to be more sensible. There’s always banter on the field.” He referred to the incident as a moment of “lapse in judgment.”
Manziel concluded his rookie season having participated in just five games, completing 175 passing yards without a touchdown and two interceptions, which resulted in a passer rating of 42.0. He returned to the team the following year, playing in nine games and throwing for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns.
Unfortunately, continued off-field issues, including a 2016 misdemeanor domestic violence charge, marred his career. ESPN reported that the charges were dismissed in November 2017 after he met the stipulations of a dismissal agreement.
In March 2016, the Browns released Manziel.
Reflecting on his time in Cleveland, he stated in a 2023 interview with Business Insider, “When I got to Cleveland, I wasn’t mentally prepared to focus solely on playing football. I was having difficulty even getting out of bed every morning, grappling with emotions and thoughts I had never faced before.”
He further mentioned, “I know people will still recognize me when I go out, whether it’s on the street or at a restaurant. But ultimately, I desire a more normal and simple life now. I’m discovering what brings me joy without needing to be in the spotlight constantly.”
Manziel did not respond to Business Insider’s request for further comments for this article.
