Since my interest in college football is non-existent, I generally stay away from any college football-related posts. But today I'm making an exception because of the ridiculously absurd non-punishment Johnny Manziel received from the NCAA for his autograph scandal. Talk about a joke! Selective enforcement at its best.
The scandal involving Manziel, of course, is all about whether or not he was paid for signing thousands of autographs for sports memorabilia dealers at last year's Orange Bowl. Then he did it again a few weeks later. The dealers claimed money changed hands, but they couldn't say whether or not Manziel received any, since they never actually saw him physically get paid. This was clearly enough for the NCAA to investigate the situation, which they did.
Regardless of whether or not he received money and, if so, how much, Manziel should've known better. You're signing thousands of footballs and helmets and pictures for these dealers out of the goodness of your heart? Of course not. Somebody obviously profited off it. Even if it wasn't Manziel himself. The only reason these dealers wanted Manziel-autographed merchandise was because they knew there was a market for it. Likewise, somebody involved with Manziel got something, whether it was a flat fee or a percentage or some combination of the two.
Manziel deserved to be suspended just for the fact that all this even happened. That's why all summer everybody around Texas A&M was freaking out about how long it would be and if it would permanently affect his eligibility. Everyone was bracing themselves for a suspension of some length. He was looking at four games minimum. At least that's what he deserved.
Instead, the NCAA inexplicably came back, concluded their investigation, and essentially determined Manziel did nothing wrong. They didn't suspend him for the season. Or half the season. Or a handful of games. They didn't even suspend him for an entire contest. They're only making him sit out the first half of this weekend's season opener. Against Rice. A three-month investigation about a serious NCAA no-no and all he gets is a slap on the wrist? Please!
I'm not saying Manziel definitely took money. We don't know. That's the point. All we know is that something clearly went on, and you'd have to be a total idiot to think that Manziel is completely guilt-free. Yet that's what the NCAA would like us to believe. Even if you believe the "ignorance is bliss" theory, that can only carry you so far. How then do you explain that he had several of these autograph-signing sessions? It doesn't add up.
Not holding Manziel accountable for his involvement, however small, sets a bad precedent. The NCAA already has its critics for a number of reasons. And their decision here isn't going to do anything to improve people's perception of the NCAA. Or, more importantly, its credibility. To those critics, this is further proof that the NCAA lacks significant control in critical areas.
Johnny Manziel is a golden boy. He made history last year as the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, and he has that cool "Johnny Football" nickname, too. Nobody wanted anything to happen to his squeaky-clean image. Not college football fans. Not Texas A&M. Certainly not the NCAA. And I can't help but feel that came into play here, with the NCAA's (lack of) "decision." They didn't want to suspend Johnny Manziel, so they didn't (unless you count the first half of the season opener as a legitimate "suspension").
It's a dangerous precedent the NCAA has set here, and I hope it doesn't come back to bite them. Even more so, I hope Johnny Manziel has learned from this. Because, let's face it, he got lucky. Next time he won't be.
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