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Autographs and Athletes -- The Johnny Manziel Edition

Johnny Manziel can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback was drafted 22nd by the Cleveland Browns. They traded to move up, hoping they had their franchise QB. Rumors were that he was a bit of a head-case and liked to party. He promptly ended up in rehab, and I’m guessing the Browns are now regretting this whole thing.

While at Texas A&M, Manziel got in trouble for signing autographs. An autograph/memorabilia dealer paid him $7,500 to sign 300 mini and full-sized helmets. For those that don’t know, college athletes aren’t allowed to make money using their name. For example, a few have had T-shirts with their nicknames. That wasn’t allowed (I was lucky enough to get a “Faulk U” while Marshall Fault was at San Diego State, before they were quickly pulled from shelves).

The weirdest thing is that the guy that paid him to sign the autographs, which was done over three different days, took video of the signing. He then tried to sell that video to ESPN (they refused to buy it).

Manziel signing autographs in a hotel room…immediately made me think of how the only way we could get OJ Simpson into jail…a guy that had beat his wife and then killed her and another man…was when he broke into a hotel room and stole back his autographed memorabilia. I think athletes need to realize, having illegitimate kids isn’t the only way they can get in trouble in hotel rooms these days.

The latest trouble the Browns QB got into was when he threw a water bottle at a person heckling him at a Four Seasons Resort pool a few days ago. It started when he was at a golf tournament and fans were asking for autographs. He refused to sign (once they start taking money for their signature, this often happens).

The 18-year-old, disgruntled fan…also ended up being pushed by somebody with Manziel. That means the police were called, although neither party pressed charges. You have to wonder if the guy said, “I won’t press charges on you. IF…you sign this football I just happen to have right here.”

The fact that Manziel just spent 10-weeks in rehab, and the Browns and other fans haven’t been thrilled with him, means he probably should’ve just signed autographs and tried to be nice to fans; even if they were annoying him.

I met a guy at a party that was hecking Cheech Marin (Cheech & Chong) at the filming of a golf movie (Tin Cup with Kevin Costner). He kept yelling his name, holding up a fake joint, etc. Marin ended up coming over in a golf cart, and yelling at the guy. He barked, “We’re trying to film a movie over there, and we don’t want to hear you guys yelling stuff!”

The man apologized, said he was just a big fan, to which Marin immediately lightened up. He signed autographs, took a few photos, and everything was smoothed over. It’s really not that hard to do.

To me, the funniest part of the story is that Johnny Football threw a water bottle at somebody – AND MISSED! Perhaps not the best sign for Browns fans hoping he still has an accurate arm.

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Tags: Cheech & Chong, Cheech Marin, Cleveland Browns, Johnny Football, Johnny Manziel, Marshall Faulk, OJ Simpson, Texas A&M

Comment by Null on June 3, 2015 at 8:13am

There's 2 sides to this. One side is from the fan's view, which is that Johnny should've just signed a few autographs and been done with it...

The other side is from the athlete's perspective, where he is enjoying a golf tournament, and that may not be the proper setting for an autograph. If he signed one, he'd be stuck there signing all day. I have no problem when athlete's tell me "Not right now". CLEARLY Manziel signs autographs, it just obviously wasn't the proper setting for one. Perhaps Manziel ignored him completely which set the guy off, but if he would've said "Not right now buddy, sorry" I bet the guy would've shut up... 

The way I look at it, if someone doesn't want to sign an autograph and is that miserable signing autographs, then I really don't want their autograph to begin with. (I.e. LeBron) If you have to heckle and harass someone for an autograph, that's pretty pathetic, and ultimately it ruins it for all future fans who are respectful when asking for one.

Or as Charles Barkley said, someone from Johnny's "entourage" should've had some words with the guy and MADE him shut up!

Comment by Josh Board on June 4, 2015 at 9:17am

Charles Barkley, always the voice of reason! hahahahahah. Except that time he threw a guy through a bar window for making fun of the fact that he didn't have a ring. Or when he spit on an 8-year-old girl in the stands, because the guy behind her was heckling him during a game. And the time....

Comment by 24rubikscube on June 13, 2015 at 11:37pm
Being a Browns fan is brutal. They haven't won a division since I was 1 years old. At least we have the Cavs.

He recently signed a baby at the team fan festival. Really wish I went.

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