NFL – JOHNNY MANZIEL: STOP SAYING AND START DOING

I’m sick of Johnny Manziel.

Why do I have to see his name in the news constantly, even during the NFL off season?

Why can’t he just put his nose to the grindstone, work on himself as a QB, and stay out of trouble?

If you’re counting (and I am), every few weeks since 2015 started, there’s been something about Manziel in the news. The only month he was quiet was March when he was behind locked doors at rehab.

For instance, on (Jan 4), Manziel got into a fight with hecklers at a Houston nightclub.  After he was shouted at and “aggressively” asked for autographs, he flipped off the trouble-makers and then drinks went flying.  Why couldn’t he just ignore them?

On (Feb 2), Manziel’s camp announced that he was entering rehab.  He spent about 10 weeks there.

One week after his release on (April 17), Manziel made a public statement apologizing “to the Browns and the fans that I let down.” He also said “it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say.”

Well, he started off badly in this regard.

On (May 30), Manziel was involved in an incident after being relentlessly harassed by a fan.  His knee-jerk reaction was to throw a 32-ounce water bottle about three-quarters full at the kid when he couldn’t take him anymore.

Way to go, Johnny.  That’s how to show maturity.  How come you simply didn’t walk away?

And, now, just yesterday (June 17), Manziel publicly apologized for being a “distraction” to the Cleveland Browns and said he won’t be doing his trademark “money sign” anymore to distance himself from his “Johnny Football” image for maturity-sake.

He added: “Whatever I can do to help quiet the noise that has surrounded this team and surrounded myself, I don’t want that anymore. I just want to be another player on this team that is in here trying to get better and just trying to be successful.”

Well, why not just do it?  Why do you have to publicly announce that is your goal?

Sadly, I don’t think it’s possible for Manziel to be quiet and just work hard on his game.  And, ultimately, I think his need to make noise off the field will hurt his chances in the NFL.

Perhaps Manziel should study Derek Jeter to see how he held himself during his playing career.  Jeter never got in trouble, he spoke to the media succinctly, and he poured himself into making the best of his abilities on the field.

Of course, Jeter was known for dating a bevy of high-profile beauties during his bachelorhood, but he never once appeared in the news for making a bad decision pertaining to his private life off the field.  I think this ultimately made Jeter a better player, because he was never a distraction to himself or the Yankees.

Alas, I just can’t help but to think how Manziel will not follow this mantra, and will make news next month. Judging by his past history in 2015, we’re due for a bad decision from him in about mid-July.

Johnny, please follow your own advice:  Stop saying and start doing.

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