🏈 🔵 Diving Into My Latest Podcast With Johnny Manziel
"For me, and for what I try to tell [current college players], is keep the main thing the main thing," Manziel told me.
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Hey Friends,
My “Next Up” Podcast is back and now part of Front Office Sports.
In the first edition of the new “Next Up,” former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel opens up about his remarkable journey through football and beyond.
From breaking out at Texas A&M to navigating the chaos of the NFL, Manziel shares stories about his experiences and challenges of staying grounded amidst sky-high expectations.
Manziel offers thoughtful advice to young athletes about staying focused, maximizing opportunities in the NIL era, and navigating the pressures of being a public figure.
Here are three lessons I took away from my recent sit down with a modern college football icon:
1️⃣ Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing
Manziel’s life off the gridiron was well-documented during his time at Texas A&M from 2011 to 2013.
Although the Texas native swept nearly the entirety of college football’s postseason awards as a redshirt freshman and sophomore, he still recognizes that his off-the-field antics might take away from his historic on-field production.
If Manziel would’ve played in the NIL era, On3 estimates he would’ve commanded roughly $3 million annually, with his own estimation hovering closer to $5 to $10 million per year.
But, no matter how lucrative college football is and continues to become, Manziel urges young athletes to “focus on football,” allowing their worth to speak for itself.
“I let things outside of football, kind of, take control of my story a little bit,” Manziel told me. “For me, and for what I try to tell [current college players], is keep the main thing the main thing. Get in here and focus on your football. This money and everything else… all of that comes because of what you do on the field.”
As college football continues to move away from amateurism into a professionally-molded model, Manziel continues to stress the need for college athletes to conduct themselves like NFL players.
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2️⃣ Consistency Is Key
Before Manziel hoisted the Heisman Trophy after his first season as the Aggies’ starting signal caller in 2012, he revealed to me that he almost never became the squad’s starter.
In training camp that offseason, Manziel felt as though he couldn’t showcase his skill-set as a mobile quarterback without sacrificing his body and forcing plays. Consequently, this led to uncharacteristic miscues in the form of turnovers and inaccurate attempts.
In the end, Manziel attributes “consistency” to ultimately winning him the starting job through the lens of his coaching staff.
“I think it was just, really, consistency for me,” Manziel said. “It was hard for me being such a mobile quarterback and being to show that in training camp… I think it was just me finally getting to a point of not turning the ball over, being a little bit more consistent, and just showing that I could be a leader.”
After Texas A&M fell to Florida in week one and started slow against SMU the follow game, Manziel mentioned he was “nearly benched.”
However, his consistent command of the huddle helped him account for 418 total yards and six touchdowns in the final three quarters against the Mustangs, giving him permanent reigns of the offense.
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3️⃣ Maximize Your Immediate Value, Prioritize Future Growth
It’s hard to find a bigger proponent of NIL monetization than Manziel — especially with the colossal school-wide impact he imprinted on Texas A&M.
While Manziel thinks that college athletes are finally commanding their fair share in immediate pay, he thinks the best players should always strive for more.
“For the football guys that are in there today, for as much money as they can go make in college, that’s great,” Manziel told me. “But, in the grand scheme of things and wanting to get to the NFL and wanting to go have a career at the next level, it’s kind of peanuts in comparison to the big thing.”
He mentioned that avoiding complacency is key in avoiding plateaus at the top. With continued drive and focus, current college players can form a solid nest egg in college, setting up for rapid expansion as a professional.
To watch the entirety of my interview with Manziel, click here.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by email at adam@brenemanmedia.com.
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Shoutout to Connor Krause for helping to write this newsletter and putting it together!
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