Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel given a half-game suspension by NCAA
If you had Johnny Manziel missing the start of the 2013 season because of suspension, congratulations, you were right.
What you probably didn’t expect was that the suspension would only last a half of a game.
Several outlets are reporting that Manziel will serve a half-game suspension in the season opener against Rice following an NCAA investigation into the Heisman Trophy winner taking money for autographs.
According to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, the NCAA and Texas A&M agreed on the punishment after the NCAA, who spent six hours interviewing Manziel last Sunday, was not able to prove Manziel was paid for autographs as alleged by several autograph dealers.
The suspension officially closes the book on the case and Manziel will face no further punishment.
It’s a weird end to a story that appeared to signify the end of Manziel’s college career. After a summer of flirting with possible suspension thanks to Twitter and Instagram photos that showed him in prime seats at major sports events, taking photos with celebrities, showing off his fancy Mercedes, underage drinking and flashing cash at casinos, this seemed to be something the NCAA couldn’t ignore.
In the end, though, the allegations proved to be a game of he said-he said that the NCAA couldn’t definitely prove without a paper trail. Consequently, they were forced to give Manziel a slap on the wrist for perhaps knowingly signing with autograph dealers.
Now, A&M, which has been avoiding conversation about Manziel, can finally start acknowledging the reigning Heisman Trophy winner on its roster.
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