Johnny Manziel Admits What Everyone Always Thought About His Football Career

Sep 16, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Former Texas A&M Aggies player Johnny Manziel is interviewed during the game between the Aggies and Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Johnny Manziel Admits What Everyone Always Thought About His Football Career

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Apr 12, 2026 3:57 PM ET

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Johnny Manziel said the hard truth out loud.

The former Texas A&M Aggies and Cleveland Browns quarterback was one of the most talented quarterbacks in modern college football history. Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012. He went into Alabama and took down the Crimson Tide. His dual-threat abilities were extremely fun to watch.

Manziel went on to be a first round pick in the NFL Draft, though he flamed out of the pros pretty quickly. Manziel had problems on and off of the field. He just didn't take football seriously enough.

But Manziel has admitted what everyone has long speculated about him.

Manziel admitted: He liked chasing girls more than he liked playing football.

“I had a lot more fun going into a nightclub, walking out with two girls, than I did putting the pads on, going and grinding,” Manziel said.

And that was the problem with Manziel's career.

He could get away on talent in college, but not at the NFL level.

WILD: Johnny Manziel could have been one of the all-time great quarterbacks if he cared about football as he cared about girls.

“I had a lot more fun going into a nightclub, walking out with two girls, than I did putting the pads on, going & grinding”pic.twitter.com/K1N8T4f5mY
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) April 10, 2026