NFL Bust Johnny Manziel Slinging Signatures and Selfies for Cash

Posted on: January 15, 2017, 12:00h. 

Last updated on: January 14, 2017, 12:06h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 after leading his Texas A&M Aggies to an 11-2 record. The team ended the season as the fifth-ranked program in the country, and Johnny Football became the first freshman, a redshirt at that, to win college football’s most coveted individual award.

Fast-forward five years, and Manziel is no longer passing the pigskin. Instead, he’s scheduled to make two appearances in Texas next month where he’ll charge fans $99 per signature, $99 per professional photograph, and $50 per “selfie” taken with the admirer’s mobile device.

As for Texas A&M’s storied football program, well, it too is in the gutter. The Aggies finished the season at 8-5, but went 4-4 in the SEC and capped off the year with a loss to Kansas State in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

Las Vegas sportsbooks give Texas A&M early odds of 100-1 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017/2018. Six other SEC teams have stronger odds to win the title.

Johnny Bust

The list of Heisman Trophy winners who have gone on to be disappointments in the NFL is lengthy. In fact, many college football fans believe in the so-called “Heisman curse.”

While multiple names are worthy of being included in the discussion for biggest Heisman winner bust, Manziel, still just 24-years-old, is without question near the top of the list.

Johnny passed for nearly 8,000 yards in just two years at A&M, and ran for over 2,000. He threw 63 touchdowns and ran for another 30.

But his on-field antics, which included the money sign gesture after each touchdown, raised concerns among NFL scouts. He was eventually drafted 22nd overall after texting then-Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains that he wants to “wreck the league.”

Turns out, he was more interested in wrecking his career. Manziel played a total of 15 games for the Browns and threw just seven touchdowns to seven interceptions during that span.

In early 2016, Manziel was charged with misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a claim of domestic violence with his then-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. Cleveland cut Manziel in March due to poor play and repeated failures to adhere to team policy and issues with substance abuse.

Bettors who took odds on where Manziel would be playing after his Browns departure collected on substantial payouts.

Following his arrest last January, Bovada asked which team would sign the former college great. “Not on an NFL team” was offered at +700, meaning a $100 wager netted $700.

Browns Top Draft

2016 was a monumental year for Cleveland, as the Cavaliers brought the city its first major championship after 52 years of sports agony. The Indians then overcame large odds to reach the World Series.

The Browns too almost made history, albeit for entirely different reasons. The franchise went 1-15, nearly missing out on becoming just the second NFL team to go 0-16. With the worst record in football, Cleveland picks first during the NFL Draft in April.

Like many things in life, football also comes full circle. Not only do the Browns have the top pick, but Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is expected to be Cleveland’s first selection.