Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is a big fan of Texas A&M star QB Johnny Manziel.
While Manziel’s showboating and brash attitude have drawn in many critics, his Heisman Trophy caliber play has also made him one of the biggest names in football.
Flacco speaking to the Carroll County Times says the “Johnny Football” name probably hasn’t helped Manziel grow his fan base. Flacco tells the publication:
“I don’t know if I’ll be too popular for this. But I don’t know how I really felt about Johnny Manziel, but I feel like now everyone hates him. He’s quickly becoming my favorite player in college football.”
After becoming the first college freshmen to win a Heisman Trophy, the star QB made headlines during the offseason after he become embroiled in an autograph for pay scandal. On Saturday, Manziel served an NCAA mandated half-game suspension. During the second half of play for Texas A&M’s regular season opener, Manziel was back to his cocky self, making “money signs” with his fingers after big plays while mocking players from the other side.
Manziel taunted Rice’s players so much that he was eventually handed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter and then pulled from play by coach Kevin Sumlin.
Joe Flacco is no stranger to drawing his own controversy. Last season Flacco started the year by calling himself the best quarterback in the NFL. Flacco would go on to win the Super Bowl MVP award. Even after all of his successes last season, the Ravens were still questioned by fans and critics after they signed Flacco to a $120 million contract.
Love him or hate him, it is impossible to deny that Johnny Football has quickly become “must see” TV for college football fans. Are you a fan of Johnny Manziel?