Johnny Manziel, the quarterback for Texas A&M better known as Johnny Football, is facing allegations that he exchanged money for signing autographs in an apartment in Miami.
Sources told ESPN that Manziel was paid a five-figure fee for signing various pieces of memorabilia in January.
If the NCAA investigation finds evidence to support this story, Manziel will be ruled ineligible to play college football. The recent Heisman trophy winner could have tanked his career before it even began buy breaking the cardinal rule of amateur sports — players can’t accept money for their performance or identity as an athlete.
However, the allegations will not stick unless there is a paper trail with bank deposits. ESPN reporter Darren Rovell tweeted “Word of caution on NCAA investigation on Manziel: They still have to find compelling evidence to suspend him. Might not be easy.”
Other than the two eyewitness sources, a number of people are pointing to the suspicious amount of signed Manziel paraphernalia that began being auctioned after January as a potential smoking gun. Texas A&M likely won’t face any sanctions even if Manziel is found at fault.
More than just serious allegations against him, Manziel has been making quite the name for himself during this recent offseason. After winning the Heisman, he has partied with rappers Drake and Rick Ross, got kicked out of the Manning Passing Academy for “oversleeping,” and recently got kicked out of a frat party (SEE RELATED: Johnny Manziel kicked out of UT frat party [VIDEO].)
At least he’s been keeping busy in the offseason.
