Manziel to trademark 'Johnny Football'
Texas A&M redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel is looking to trademark his 'Johnny Football' nickname, according to ESPN.com.
Manziel's family is hoping to capitalize off the nickname in the future.
"Texas A&M is working in concert with the Manziel family to trademark the nickname," said Shane Hinckley, Texas A&M's assistant vice president of business development.
Manziel was given the nickname by fans and students this season. His popularity is on the rise after the Aggies knocked off former No. 1 Alabama 29-24 on Saturday.
Less than two weeks ago, Kenneth R. Reynolds Family Investments, based in College Station, Texas, filed for the Johnny Football trademark.
To maintain his playing eligibility, neither Texas A&M nor Manziel's family can sell products that connect 'Johnny Football' to Manziel. But the school can stop vendors from doing so.
Manziel's No. 2 jersey was available at the school's bookstore on Friday, and another shipment came in Monday, Hinckley said.
Before that, the only Texas A&M jerseys available were ones with Nos. 1 and 12 with no names attached to them.
Texas A&M has sent eight letters over the past two weeks to those attempting to sell items with the 'Johnny Football' nickname to stop immediately, according to Hinckley.
