2012 Heisman winner and former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel opened up about one of his biggest regrets recently, admitting he still carries guilt over disappointing the Manning family when he was dismissed from their prestigious academy over a decade ago.
What Did Johnny Manziel Say About His Manning Passing Academy Dismissal?
In a recent appearance on his “Glory Daze” podcast with guest A.J. McCarron, the former first-round draft pick opened up about how being sent home from the Manning Passing Academy continues to weigh on him after 12 years.
“When they sat me down and told me that, you know, they were going to send me home, I just remember being like, ‘Man, this sucks because it means a lot to me. These guys mean a lot to me, and this is something that I won’t be able to ever really fix or get back,” Manziel said during the podcast.
The Texas A&M star emphasized that media criticism never bothered him the way disappointing the Manning family did. He could handle facing tough questions at SEC Media Days, but letting down Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning hit differently.
“The consequences of the media, and what comes with it, and all that didn’t mean anything to me. I can handle that. I can handle walking into SEC Media Days and getting my ass kicked for a couple hours, whatever.”
He continued, “It was more the stain that it left on them for a couple of years and obviously letting down the Manning family because I do respect them so much,” he explained.
Given his own success, he understood their legacy. Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, throwing for 3,706 yards and rushing for 1,410 yards while leading Texas A&M to an upset victory over top-ranked Alabama.
He followed that with another strong season in 2013, despite dealing with increased scrutiny and off-field distractions.
Why Does This Manning Academy Incident Still Matter to Manziel?
Manziel’s respect for the Manning family runs deep, making his dismissal particularly painful. He had won the Manning Award the year before his academy appearance, giving him personal connections with the family members who built college football’s most respected quarterback development program.
The Manning Passing Academy, founded by Archie Manning in 1996, represents the gold standard for quarterback camps. Getting invited as a counselor is considered an honor reserved for elite players who can serve as role models for young athletes.
That made Manziel’s departure all the more damaging. According to previous reports, Manziel was sent home after showing up late and missing assigned meetings. The incident became another black mark during a period when “Johnny Football” was already facing scrutiny about his off-field behavior.
MORE: Johnny Manziel Reveals Jim Harbaugh Turn-Off That Sparked His Stanford Snub for Texas A&M
The dismissal proved to be an early warning sign of troubles that would derail his professional career. After being drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Manziel struggled with inconsistency and off-field issues, leading to his release in 2016. He later played briefly in the CFL and other leagues before retiring from football.
Manziel acknowledged the lasting impact his actions had on the Manning family’s reputation. The academy prides itself on character development alongside football skills, making any counselor misconduct particularly damaging to their brand.
Time has helped heal the relationship somewhat. Manziel noted they’ve had positive conversations in recent years, saying “it feels like it’s water under the bridge” between him and the Manning family.
His honest comments about the situation show growth and maturity more than a decade after his college stardom. Rather than focusing on media criticism or career setbacks, his regret centers on disappointing people he genuinely respected, showing the lasting impact of the Manning family’s influence on college football.
