Tag: Johnny Manziel

ESPN: Reggie Bush will be getting his Heisman Trophy back

It’s about time. ESPN reports that former Saints running back Reggie Bush will have the Heisman Trophy he won at USC returned to him:

It’s about time: ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that the Heisman Trust will return Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy. The former New Orleans Saints running back won that trophy in 2005 after an outstanding three-year run with the USC Trojans, but was forced to forfeit it in 2010 after an NCAA investigation slammed the school for improper recruiting violations.

Thamel adds that an announcement from the Heisman Trust is coming on Wednesday, in which this unprecedented “reinstatement” of Bush’s trophy will be chalked up to “enormous changes in the college football landscape.” Name, image, and likeness (NIL) legislation has allowed today’s student-athletes to enjoy many of the benefits that Bush was blacklisted for, none of which had anything to do with his achievements on the football field in the first place.

Bush will receive the trophy he gave up, while USC will be given a replica to display on campus. He will receive all of the benefits that other Heisman Trophy winners enjoy like participation in future awards ceremonies and a ballot to vote on the winner each year. Maybe he’ll get a spot in the Heisman House commercial ad campaign, too.

He’s walked a difficult road to get here. Bush was cleared to return to USC’s campus after a decade of disassociation ended in 2020, and he’s since taken legal action to try and have his Heisman Trophy returned to him. College football superfans have bought billboards and other Heisman Trophy winners like Johnny Manziel have added their voices to the chorus calling for the Heisman Trust to reverse course. And all those efforts were not in vain. Now, Bush will finally have his place in college football history.

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Paul Finebaum: Longhorns joined SEC after seeing Aggies’ success

Finebaum thinks Texas A&M’s success in the SEC made Texas want to join.

As the Texas Longhorns head to the SEC, many are still discussing the blockbuster move. One SEC college football analyst thinks the program made its decision based on its in-state rival.

Paul Finebaum of the SEC Network opined on That SEC Podcast that the Longhorns joined the SEC after seeing the Texas A&M Aggies succeed in the conference. The way in which the Aggies succeeded is up for debate, but it’s undeniable that the team saw a prestige boost in moving to the conference.

The highlights of Texas A&M’s SEC rise are as follows: The Aggies beat Alabama in 2012 and 2021, won an Orange Bowl in a one-loss season and secured what then was the perhaps greatest recruiting class in history after the 2021 season. The latter accomplishment is what most sets the Aggies apart from what the Longhorns accomplished the last decade.

While the wins over Alabama’s legendary head coach Nick Saban were impressive, Texas A&M is 2-10 against the Tide since moving to the SEC. The Aggies have one more win than the Longhorns do against the Crimson Tide in that span despite 10 more opportunities.

The Orange Bowl victory for Texas A&M came against North Carolina. Texas took home a New Years Six win in the Sugar Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs to cap the 2018 season. The Aggies have yet to beat Georgia as a member of the SEC.

Between the two teams, only Texas has a playoff appearance in that span after a breakout 2023 season. What separates the two is the SEC logo in recruiting.

Texas A&M has long been a force in recruiting and a strong brand, but its brand power grew dramatically when the team moved to its new conference. No longer were the Aggies a team that needed ties with the Longhorns to be relevant. The program became a stand alone brand due in large part to its alliance with college football’s top conference.

The SEC logo is a tiebreaker in recruiting. Several head-to-head recruiting battles have gone the Aggies’ way in recent seasons, and conference prestige likely played a huge role.

Whether they like to admit it or not, Texas’ move to the SEC is good for both parties. For awhile recruits have been able to choose Texas for the benefit of playing against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. They used to enjoy the added right of playing in the Lone Star Showdown.

The rivalry has the same effect for the Aggies. Now they have an in-state rival to end the season against every year. It has Iron Bowl potential if both teams maximize the talent that they recruit.

Texas A&M’s brand took off in its first season in the SEC with Heisman quarterback Johnny Manziel. Texas looks to have a similar boost in its first season in the conference.

Johnny Manziel picks Kobe Bryant, and not LeBron James, as his GOAT

Former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has been friends with LeBron James, but he doesn’t think James is the greatest NBA player ever.

While LeBron James became the biggest sports star in Northeast Ohio history, there was a time when Johnny Manziel had a shot at becoming something special in the region himself. The Texas A&M quarterback was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014. Although there were real concerns about him, some thought he would be huge in the NFL.

In fact, shortly after Manziel was drafted, Skip Bayless boldly tweeted that he would “one day be bigger in Cleveland than” James ever was.

That didn’t happen. Manziel played poorly and lasted just two seasons in the NFL. He also had an array of off-the-field problems.

Manziel and James have been friends for a while (James is a big Browns fan), but when the former signal-caller was asked who he thought the greatest NBA player of all time is, he didn’t pick James. He didn’t even pick Michael Jordan, whom many still feel is the greatest player in basketball history.

Instead, Manziel went with the late great Kobe Bryant and said he loves Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality.”

Over the years, Bryant attracted a big following, and many of today’s players, not just in the NBA but also in other sports leagues, have cited him as a major influence, if not a mentor.

Here’s hoping Manziel truly adopts the “Mamba Mentality” and overcomes his personal demons to, at the very least, become an inspiration to others who are facing difficult circumstances.

Should USC Heisman Trophy winners follow Johnny Manziel’s lead in defense of Reggie Bush?

This is a great question, is it not? What would it mean if Carson Palmer refused to attend the Heisman ceremony in solidarity with Reggie Bush?

The words of Johnny Manziel, a former Heisman Trophy winner, created a stir in the USC football community over the weekend. Trojan fans greatly respected and appreciated what Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner, said about Reggie Bush and the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Manziel said he would remove himself from the Heisman ceremony until Bush gets his 2005 Heisman Trophy back.

Aggies Wire had more details on the story:

If you’re like me or many others in Aggieland, you woke up Saturday morning to a bold proclamation posted to X by legendary Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Manziel, who was the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, will be stepping away from the annual ceremony. Manziel is taking an indefinite absence until former USC running back Reggie Bush reclaims the award he won in 2005, which he voluntarily forfeited in 2010 amid NCAA investigations.

USC lost it’s all time leading rusher and Heisman winner, Charles White last year, but it will be interesting to see if the six remaining Heisman winners — Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Caleb Williams — will make a similar statement in defense of Reggie Bush. It’s understandable that USC Heisman winners might feel their position on the matter won’t carry weight with the outside world, but it is still worth wondering how much value such a public statement might contain… if someone from USC’s glorious past chooses to take such a stand.

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Texas A&M legend Johnny Manziel elaborates on choice to step away from Heisman Trophy ceremony

“You can back a brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie’s trophy is back.”

After announcing early on Saturday morning that he was removing himself from the Heisman Trophy ceremony in support of former USC running back Reggie Bush, Texas A&M legend Johnny Manziel elaborated on his decision on social media this weekend.

“You can back a Brinks truck up to my house and I still will not attend the ceremony or do ANYTHING involved until Reggie’s trophy is back where it rightfully belongs,” Manziel proclaimed via X. “This is about doing what’s right for everyone involved. Reggie’s play on the field inspired me to be the football player that I am.

“To the Heisman Trust, I hope you understand my position. You know that I have nothing but love and respect for that trophy and the people associated with it. It changed my life for the better, forever, and I will be eternally grateful for that until my last day on this earth. The bond and the brotherhood mean more than anything else. That’s truly what makes the fraternity so special.”

X user Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) replied to Manziel‘s initial tweet and sarcastically said, “Should probably change that profile pic then too Johnny.”

“You never change something that’s rooted in your soul,” Manziel stated. “That Heisman means more to me than anything in this world.”

In the era of NIL, Manziel pointed out how much money former USC and LSU quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, respectively made in 2023.

“The last two Heisman Trophy winners made a combined 12 million last year, but Reggie can’t get his trophy back?” Manziel pondered.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Life lessons with Texas A&M legend Johnny ‘Football’ Manziel

“You’re not truly considered an NFL ‘bust’ until you officially retire. Do with that as you wish,” Manziel said via X on Saturday morning.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was very active on X, formerly known as Twitter, this past weekend.

After proclaiming his self-removal from the Heisman Trophy ceremony in support of Reggie Bush, Manziel continued to speak his mind on social media.

“Failure in life has been one of the biggest motivators for me,” Manziel stated. “Fear is truly one of the biggest things that allow us to change.

“Just because you held yourself to a lower standard in the past doesn’t mean you have to continue that trajectory for the rest of your life.

“Create the life that you want to live and own that s***.”

Manziel shared his desire to better himself.

“Morals and values are something that every single Aggie is engrained with from the second that you step on campus,” he stated. “I chose not to accept that fact until recently but moving forward I will hold myself to a higher standard that will go over a lot of y’all’s heads.

“Time to get 1% better today.”

Also noteworthy: Johnny hasn’t formally retired from professional football.

“Another little tidbit,” Manziel teased. “You’re not truly considered an NFL ‘bust’ until you officially retire. Do with that as you wish.”

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Social media reaction to Johnny Manziel’s boycott of future Heisman Trophy ceremonies, standing with USC’s Reggie Bush

Johnny Manziel defended Reggie Bush and made a major Heisman statement. Everyone is talking about it.

Johnny Manziel stands in solidarity with Reggie Bush. Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy recipient, published a recent post on X which puts into action his recent opinions. Those opinions were expressed in interviews about USC’s Reggie Bush not having his Heisman Trophy returned:

“After careful thought and consideration I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until @ReggieBush gets his trophy back. Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy. Do the RIGHT thing  @NCAA the ball is in your court.

Much love JM2″

The social media reaction to this tweet has been extensive and as expected, very polarized.  Here is how social media reacted to the news:

‘Reggie IS the Heisman trophy’: Johnny Manziel removes himself from ceremony in support of Bush

“I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel said via X on Saturday.

If you’re like me or many others in Aggieland, you woke up Saturday morning to a bold proclamation posted to X by legendary Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Manziel, who was the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, will be stepping away from the annual ceremony. Manziel is taking an indefinite absence until former USC running back Reggie Bush reclaims the award he won in 2005, which he voluntarily forfeited in 2010 amid NCAA investigations.

“After careful thought and consideration, I will be humbly removing myself from the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush gets his trophy back,” Manziel stated on social media. “Doesn’t sit right with my morals and values that he can’t be on that stage with us every year. Reggie IS the Heisman trophy.

“Do the RIGHT thing NCAA the ball is in your court.

“Much love

“JM2”

Given the NIL era that we all live in today, that should’ve been introduced and regulated decades ago, Johnny is right.

The NCAA should not only restore Bush’s legacy but after everything they’ve put him through over the last 19 years, he deserves his own recognition ceremony in December. That is, of course, before junior QB Conner Weigman hoists the Heisman later in the evening and brings home College Station’s third illustrious trophy.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Johnny Manziel throws his support behind Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy fight

Johnny Manziel threw his support behind Reggie Bush, saying he won’t attend the Heisman Trophy award ceremony until Bush has his trophy back:

This is big of Johnny Manziel: the former Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback announced Saturday that he will decline to participate in the award’s annual ceremony until Reggie Bush has had his own Heisman Trophy returned to him.

Bush, the former New Orleans Saints running back, won the trophy for his efforts at USC back in 2005. But it was taken away from him after an NCAA investigation found that his family had received recruiting benefits which were not allowed at the time — and which are now popular across the college sports landscape with the legality of NIL programs. Bush has since taken legal action to fight for the recognition that he earned, and to get his trophy back.

Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy himself in 2012, was one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football in his prime; love him or hate him, fans were watching the Aggies every week. While he didn’t find great success at the pro level, Manziel has remained a fixture in the college football world and at the Heisman Trophy ceremony each year. He’s voted for the award every year and taken the stage along with other past winners.

But he says that’s not something he can continue to do in good conscience while Bush is left out in the cold. Bush’s 2005 win is the only instance the award has been vacated in its 89-year history. If more of Manziel’s peers took a stand alongside him in support of Bush, it’s tough to believe the powers that be could hold up under such high-profile pressure.

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Johnny Manziel to pass on Heisman ceremony unless Reggie Bush is reinstated

Johnny Manziel is taking a stand for Reggie Bush

Johnny Manziel has decided to stick up for Reggie Bush.

The Heisman Trophy-winning QB from Texas A&M revealed Saturday on Twitter he will not take part in the award ceremony in December unless Reggie Bush is reinstated.

Bush had his 2005 Heisman win revoked by the Heisman Trust after a four-year extra-benefits investigation determined that he and family members, while he was a student-athlete, accepted cash, travel expenses, and a home in the San Diego area where Bush’s parents lived rent-free for more than a year and for which they were provided $10,000 to furnish.