Johnny Manziel is an interesting and polarizing character. He is at once derided and celebrated. Loved and hated. He is what most would refer to as a party animal.
Manziel has been getting critical attention since his days at Texas A&M. Despite great success with the Aggies- winning a Cotton Bowl- and personal accolades- winning a Heisman Trophy- he is most notably remembered for signing autographs between his redshirt freshman and sophomore season something for which he received great criticism.
Others critique Manziel for not being a pure pocket passer, for being too short to play quarterback (he's 6') in a league that has gotten taller and faster.
Despite all the criticism Manziel continued to win games and pile up stats. In just two seasons starting for the Aggies he compiled 7,820 passing yards, 63 passing touchdowns, 2,169 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns.
The reward was to get drafted at number 22 in the first round. Since then Manziel has gone on to celebrate. He has been seen with various celebrities partying all over Vegas, Cali, etc. Now the critics are louder and more ferocious criticizing him for choosing the party lifestyle instead of focusing on the game.
Let's be clear..Manziel did not miss any OTAs, rookie symposium or any other required event for the Browns. Training camp doesn't start for the team until July 26. He has not committed any crimes, violated any laws, been arrested or caught doing anything illegal whatsoever. His only crime is being 21 and in the public eye.
Being 21 is a great thing..it is a time to party, drink, hang out, have fun. Being 21, rich and famous is another level of excitement but it also means having to endure the judgment of those who don't understand your "out of control" "party animal" "bad boy" ways.
We forget that it wasn't so many decades ago that a decadent party lifestyle was acceptable in all the major sports in the United States. Players like Magic Johnson were notorious for partying on Friday night and being ready for a game Saturday. It was not only known it was accepted. What is the difference now? Being young and rich is the same regardless of the decade.
If Manziel were hurting his NFL career, if he were doing things that would jeopardize his chances of being successful in the NFL then the criticism would be justified, but criticizing a player simply for liking to hangout and party and have fun is ridiculous.
When the season starts if his rockstar party animal lifestyle keeps him from winning games, then the judgments against him will be warranted and changes will have to be made. Until then let Johnny Football have fun and let's see what happens come the start of the season.
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