Jen Hoffer – Sports Editor
Usually when we hear about anything having to do with suspension in a game, we usually assume it’s a month, a week, even a day. Not a half a game.
Well, that is what Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was issued last week: a half-game suspension.
Manziel was accused of “inadvertent violation” of NCAA rules regarding autograph signing. In other words, he was being paid to sign autographs.
Jason Cook, athletic director for the Aggies, has released a statement claiming there is no evidence that Manziel had received any awards or gift in exchange for autographs.
Before all this was brought to the media’s attention, Manziel was usually in sports news being talked about very brightly by analysts.
Manziel’s freshman year he immediately grabbed people’s attention after he broke Archie Manning’s offense record in his first game against Arkansas.
After that Manziel was on people’s radar during the rest of the 2012 football season.
Just two games after breaking Manning’s record, Manziel broke his own offensive record against Louisiana Tech.
It was after the game against Auburn where he threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns that he put himself on the Heisman Watch list.
He then became a national sports star, earning himself the name ‘Johnny Football’ when he went on to lead his team and defeat the number one team, Alabama Crimson Tide.
But not only has this been a rough offseason due to the allegations against him involving the autographs, Manziel has also been in the news because of being kicked out of the Manning Passing Academy this past summer because of partying and arriving late to camp.
Manziel claims he left the camp early because of an illness.
Manziel was at the camp as a counselor and was with BCS Championship winner AJ McCarron.
Now that the 2013 season has started and the incidents are all behind him, Manziel hopes he could continue this season with only a positive attitude.
The Aggies are ranked tenth in the rankings and are expected to compete for a SEC and BCS Championship title.
Manziel is not the only playmaker on the team that makes this Aggie team such a contender.
Running Backs Ben Malena, Trey Williams, Brandon Williams and Tra Carson are predicted to have a big impact this coming season.
Most of last year’s players are returning again this season. That is a good thing for Manziel because his offensive line will be protected by three great tackles.
Especially left tackle, Jake Matthews is someone Manziel is happy to have in front of him as he was a 2012 All-American.
They of course have the talent to make the championship game, but again it’s college football anything could happen.
It’s a week to week game but the Aggies are surely someone to look out for this season to make a potential move for the BCS Championship.
