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The University Daily Kansan
Page 44
Thursday, August 22, 2013
THE MORNING BREW Fans of Johnny Football too caught up in his personal life
College football benefits from Johnny Football. The fan benefits from Johnny Football. And Johnny Football's mere existence in a Texas A&M uniform is in trouble.
Johnny Manziel is a 20-year-old kid on an awful large stage. He drinks. He once got in trouble for a fake ID. He takes pictures with scantily dressed coeds. He enjoys his summer. He recently woke up "dehydrated." And there have been unproven claims that he received money for his signature.
He's a Texan with a cool nickname who also happens to have the most prestigious individual trophy in sports resting on his mantle. He's the first ever freshman to win the Heisman trophy and was the most polarizing player in college football last season.
Now, those investigating Manziel for his alleged rule breaking should continue doing their job. When it comes to the media and the average college football fan, Manziel's personal life, should be removed from the tray under the microscope.
the tiny shores of the Mississippi.
Manziez's summer headlines look more like tabloid-gossip than your typical offseason stories. Sure, he brings much of this upon himself. But there's also something so juicy, so much more entertaining about "Manziez: The quarterback who lost
It's time to leave Johnny Football alone.
Yes, he is certainly a kid that has more responsibilities than your typical college student. Of course he is. Of course children look up to him. It's a shame those children have to see a story on ESPN about Manziel getting kicked out of a fraternity party. A decent amount of college athletes go out, because that's what college students tend to do. It's a piece of a normal lifestyle they get to live out. Manziel is doing the same.
control," than "Manziel: Works out; people impressed."
Texas A&M isn't the Titanic, and Manziel isn't captaining the ship. His offseason behavior is no reason to be concerned about his play on the field — that is until he plays a football game hungover. If the Aggies struggle, it will be because of better scouting reports on Manziel. Not because of the quarterback living a more visible offseason lifestyle.
People tend to drool when Manziel does something...college. They act like he's captaining the Titanic when he acts like a somewhat typical college kid, nonetheless one that won the freaking Heisman. Of course he's going to try to live it up. I certainly would.
The facts stand that Johnny Football's play was as aesthetically pleasing as a college quarterback's play can be. He would sprint around the field, inches shorter than the men protecting him and the defender's chasing him, zigging and zagging through the crowd while keeping his eyes on his targets ahead of him. Then, hed zip a pass magically falling into his teammates hands.
This is the kid who took down Alabama. And he's also the kid with a shirtless mug shot.
It's a juicy dilemma, but it's one that needs to stop.
The offseason is boring. Johnny Football isn't.
- Edited by Dylan Lysen
Hype, rumors surround top recruit
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
Incoming freshman small forward Andrew Wiggins has a lot of hype surrounding him and rightfully so. The top prize of last year's recruiting period, Wiggins highlight tapes and scouting reports have built up the Toronto native as the next NBA superstar. With all of the stories and rumors floating around about Wiggins' abilities the Kansan is here to separate fact from fiction and clarify a few points about one of the newest Jayhawks.
CONFIRMED
Rivals.com ranked Wiggins the number one overall recruit for 2013. So did ESPN, Scout.com and SLAM Magazine.
- Recently spotted on the red carpet at the ESPY's where he was honored as the Gatorade Male High School Player of the Year.
- Earned the title Mr. Basketball USA 2013 and played in the McDonald's All-American game despite being Canadian.
- Has an older brother, Nick, who plays for the Wichita State Shockers.
- Is the son of former NBA player Mitch Wiggins.
Averaged
Averaged
23.4 points,
11.2 rebounds,
2.6 blocks and
2.5 assists over
his final high
school season at
Huntington Prep
in West Virginia.
Wiggins
- Is projected to be the No.1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft according to NBADraft.net and FoxSports.com.
Edited by Dylan Lysen
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