Report: Manziel wanted money for future autographs, friend says
Here is your Monday morning “Johnny Football” update.
ESPN has posted a story quoting an anonymous broker on eBay saying he was approached by Johnny Manziel’s assistant last year with the message that Texas A&M;’s star quarterback would no longer be signing autographs for free.
ESPN, quoting anonymous sources Sunday, reported that the NCAA was investigating whether Manziel was compensated for signing his autograph on sports memorabilia.
If proven to be true, Manziel could be suspended or ruled ineligible. He has spent the spring and summer in the news, but these are the first allegations that put his playing time in jeopardy.
Manziel came out of nowhere last year to become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Manziel totaled more than 5,000 passing and rushing yards in leading the Aggies to an 11-2 season capped by a Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma.
Texas A&M; enters the season as a national title contender with a huge Sept. 14 home game looming in College Station against national champion Alabama.
Proving whether Manziel was paid for signing autographs could be difficult, as there are dozens of published photos on the Internet of signing memorabilia.
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