Latest news with #Manziel
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Texas A&M quarterback, Heisman winner ranked as top 10 college QB of all time
A former Texas A&M quarterback who became the second Heisman Trophy winner in school history was listed among the best quarterbacks to ever play college football in a recent all-time ranking. MLFootball's top 10 list placed Johnny Manziel at No. 6, above the likes of Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Andrew Luck (Stanford), Vinny Testaverde (Miami) and Dan Marino (Pittsburgh). The former Aggie star shaped the future of the program with his acts of magic on the gridiron, becoming the first freshman in college football history to throw for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. Before he decided to play his collegiate career in College Station, Manziel was originally committed to the Oregon Ducks. After Kevin Sumlin was named the head coach and appointed Kliff Kingsbury as his offensive coordinator, the Tivy High School gunslinger brought his talent to Aggieland. Although things started shaky in the program's first matchup as a member of the SEC against Florida, he quickly turned things around the next week against the SMU Mustangs by throwing for 294 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 124 yards and recording two scores on the ground. That moment marked the moment that "Johnny Football" was born. The freshman shredded the league's defenses, including Nick Saban's Alabama team, marking Texas A&M's first win over the Crimson Tide since 1968. He finished his freshman campaign with 3,706 passing yards and 26 touchdowns through the air, while also scorching defenses on the ground for 1,410 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He became the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He had a record-breaking performance with 516 total yards and four touchdowns in the Aggies' dominant 41-13 Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Manziel secured his first-career 4,000-yard passing season as a sophomore in 2013 and was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. His outstanding speed, vision and ability to throw from any spot on the field made him a role model for the next generation of quarterbacks, but it also made many coaches across the country dread the Saturday when they had to play against him. "He just stole a game against us in Oxford that I just will never forget. I mean, never," former Ole Miss and current Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said in an interview with Saturday Down South. "We had them beat, dead to right. They're inside the 5-yard-line, gotta go (99) yards. It's (third)-and-19. The things he did on that drive, you just kind of marvel at." Regardless of the trouble Manziel got himself into off the field, he is one of the greatest college football quarterbacks in history. His groundbreaking achievements and style of play ushered in a new era of college football, while also setting a precedent for all future SEC quarterbacks. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
From autographs to millions: How NIL could have transformed Johnny Manziel's legacy
The moment that former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel stepped on the gridiron, all eyes instantly gravitated toward him. His spectacular acts of magic created moments that will be remembered forever, highlights that gained millions of views and etched his name into history. Manziel rejuvenated Aggieland into one of the top programs in just two years at the helm, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. It was not all sunshine and rainbows for Manziel and the Aggies, however. Shortly after winning the Heisman, the NCAA investigated him for signing autographs for his name, image and likeness. From that moment, "Money Manziel" was born. Manziel's success at Texas A&M was well known, even before NIL became widely accepted by the NCAA and the powers of the college football world. That sparks the question: What if Manziel played for Texas A&M during the NIL era? Million Dollar Manziel For starters, Manziel would have made millions. According to official reports from the New York Post, Duke quarterback Darian Mensah's two-year deal will bring in $8 million, making him the unofficial highest-paid player in college football history heading into the 2025 campaign. Players around the country are racking up million-dollar deals for their name, image, and likeness, while Manziel was punished for capitalizing on his. There's no sugar-coating how much money he would have made during this era of college football. Between his performance on the field and popularity on social media, there would be no limit to his potential endorsements. His autographs alone brought in approximately $30,000, and who knows how much more he was offered that he likely had to turn down at the time. As simple as this statement seems, it makes you take a step back and realize the importance of Manziel's contributions to Texas A&M. During a time when the Aggies were just officially entering the Southeastern Conference, the freshman quarterback went into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and defeated Nick Saban's Crimson Tide. Few first impressions in college football history matched what Manziel was able to accomplish in his first year leading the Maroon and White. Manziel's Portal Potential After last year's college football season concluded, a record-setting 3,843 players were in the transfer portal in search of their next destination. While giving some the benefit of the doubt for coaching or personal situations, most of the top-rated athletes in the portal were looking for their next paycheck, as financial incentives became the major determinant in a player leaving their respective school. When reminiscing on the days of Manziel's incredible acts at Kyle Field, it is difficult not to think about whether he would have hit the portal multiple times as well. While Texas A&M did have talented targets like Ryan Swope and Mike Evans, Manziel put the Aggies on his back. That pressure, combined with the potential offers from other schools, could have persuaded him to pursue opportunities elsewhere as a sophomore. Storied programs like Oregon and Texas would likely lead the way, as he initially committed to the Ducks in 2010 and was a lifelong Longhorns fan before he ultimately came to College Station. If NIL was a true established idea back when Manziel was tearing teams to shreds, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could have transferred to a different program as a sophomore. If there is more money to be made and championships to be claimed, it would have been a tough decision to pass and stay with the Aggies, who were not exactly in a prime position to claim a national title just yet. Setting the Bar Manziel's success is written into the history books and will never be taken away, as he established a precedent for the quarterbacks who will follow in his footsteps at Texas A&M. If NIL were as massive during his playing days, Manziel would have likely set a standard for quarterback pay across the college football landscape. The NCAA would likely be in a different position than it is now, as programs could be in a position to pay their respective signal-caller double or even triple the amount that athletes are currently being paid. Manziel's endorsement deals would have had a seismic impact on college athletics. Chaos is the most fitting term for what could have happened in the years following Manziel's stint with the Aggies. It might have helped athletes earn the compensation they deserve, however. At that moment, there were mixed feelings about the NCAA punishing Manziel for collecting money for his signature, but the situation is different now. Was he really in the wrong for signing autographs on merchandise that the university is capitalizing on? When the problem is put in that sense, it is difficult to fault Manziel for what he did. He deserved compensation for the jerseys, shirts, and other memorabilia flying off the shelves when he was with the Aggies. Arguments can be made about how much he was worth, but it is hard to deny the legendary status that he created for himself with his play on the field. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Fox Sports
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Highest-Paid College Football Players if NIL Existed Since 2000
When Johnny Manziel famously debuted his "show me the money" gesture during his redshirt freshman season at Texas A&M, it wasn't meant to take on larger-than-life symbolism. Instead, it was simply an inside joke between Manziel and teammate Ben Molina that the two would break out during practices or scrimmages. Once Manziel introduced the college football world to the gesture, where he would rub his fingers together like he was counting cash— it became a signature celebration that symbolized swagger, self-confidence, and defiance. It represented the financial value he brought to Texas A&M and the NCAA, and later came to represent the contradiction of high-revenue college athletics and unpaid players—making him an early icon of the NIL era. [Related: Top 25 College Athletes With Highest NIL Valuations] A decade later, everything changed, as the NCAA's policy allowing athletes to officially profit off NIL went into play. But what if NIL existed in college athletics before that time? What athletes would have been the most profitable if NIL went into effect at the turn of the century? How would former college standouts like Manziel or Florida's Tim Tebow have fared? FOX Sports college football writers Laken Litman, RJ Young and Michael Cohen take a look at who they believe would have been the most profitable college football players if NIL had been around since 2000. * All three writers were each given a hypothetical $100 million to distribute to their five choices while being asked to rank them from 1-5, with No. 1 being the most profitable. Here is a look at their picks and how they chose to distribute those funds. Laken Litman, College Football & Soccer Analyst 1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M Literally nicknamed "Money Manziel." That moniker complemented his well-known "show me the money" touchdown celebration as a nod to the NCAA, which punished him for profiting off signing autographs. As a freshman, Manziel mesmerized the college football world with a highlight-worthy season, passung for 3,419 yards with 24 touchdowns and adding 1,181 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. He led Texas A&M to an upset win of No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa and went on to become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. NIL money: $35 million 2. Reggie Bush, RB, USC The most electrifying player in college football at that time – and maybe ever. He was a threat on the run or in the passing games, and helped lead USC to back-to-back national championships in 2003 and 2004 before winning the Heisman – which was taken away due to receiving "improper benefits" and later given back – in 2005. If NIL existed then, perhaps the height of Bush's powers would have come during the 2005 season after he put up an astounding 513 total yards against Fresno State. NIL money: $25 million In 2010, the star quarterback led the Tigers to an undefeated season, which included putting the team on his back and leading them from a 24-0 deficit against Alabama to a thrilling 28-27 victory in Tuscaloosa before winning the Heisman and a national championship. Newton had a larger-than-life personality and smile – he was Superman, after all. This went along nicely with his stats: During his best season in 2010, the Tigers' QB passed for 2,854 yards with 30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, which went along with his 1,473 rushing yards and another 20 TDs. NIL money: $20 million 4. Vince Young, QB, Texas Young saved his best season and best game for last. As a junior in 2005, Young threw for more than 3,000 yards and ran for more than 1,000 while leading Texas to an undefeated season, culminating in the greatest national championship game of all time when the Longhorns beat Bush and USC, 41-38. In that title game, Young threw for 267 yards and rushed for 200 yards with three touchdowns. He likely would have raked in all the NIL deals at that time given his charisma, swagger and natural talent, and then you add in the fact that he was the starting QB at Texas and the opportunities would have been endless. NIL money: $15 million 5. Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU The most ruthless defensive player in college football at the time. Listed at just 5-foot-9 and hovering around 180 pounds, Mathieu played bigger than his frame. He was fearless and tenacious on defense and special teams, and had a unique look with a signature blonde hairdo – qualities that earned him the nickname "Honey Badger" and would have been quite appealing had NIL deals been on the table. NIL money: $5 million RJ Young, National College Football Analyst 1. Matt Leinart, QB, USC Following a 13-0 season and winning the Heisman Trophy as a junior, Leinart opted to run it back with what was the dynasty of the early 20th century: Pete Carroll's USC Trojans. Not only was Leinart the starting quarterback for the undefeated defending national champions, but he was the man who won a Heisman before the highlight reel that was Reggie Bush, his teammate. Leinart was also a hometown hero in the entertainment capital of the world at the university Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre adopted as their own. After a dominant 55-19 victory over Oklahoma, who had made the BCS national title game three out of the last four years, and owning Notre Dame, there had never been a more "Name Your Price" Player than Leinart entering the 2005 season. NIL money: $24 million 2. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida The difference between Tebow at the height of his popularity and Leinart is simple: The year that Leinart won the Heisman, he followed up just a month later by raising the national championship trophy. Tebow, who won the 2007 Heisman, needed to wait a year before he could pair his '07 accomplishment with an '08 national title. But that would've mattered little with the balance of power swinging from a couple of Big 12 and Pac-10 programs to what we now know as the vaunted SEC. And Tebow was a harbinger of the dominance to come. The homeschooled kid with a million-dollar smile and church charm would've been a ready-made spokesperson for many and worth every penny thrown his way following his Heisman-winning season, and the dollars would've only gone up as he got closer and closer to winning the national title. NIL money: $22 million 3. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma Murray is the best high school football player the state of Texas has ever produced. But when he was selected ninth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, ahead of what would be the only full season he'd play as the starting QB at Oklahoma, his NIL value was at its peak. Given Murray played and won the Heisman in 2018, just three years before the advent of NIL profiting, as well as immediate transfer eligibility, the price Murray could've demanded for his service would've likely been on par with players like Leinart and Tebow. NIL money: $20 million 4. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson After becoming the first true freshman QB to lead his team to a national title since Jamelle Holieway did it with Oklahoma in 1985, the number that Lawrence would've commanded as a sophomore and junior would've likely been the highest in the country, especially considering what he means to Clemson and the history of the College Football Playoff. With Lawrence at Clemson, the Tigers finished 34-2, a 94.4% winning record— third-best in college football history — and he finished second in the 2020 Heisman balloting. NIL money: $19 million 5. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma Peterson wasn't supposed to be featured as a freshman in 2004. But he was, and he finished No. 2 in the Heisman voting behind Leinart after rushing for 1,925 yards in 2004 and leading Oklahoma to a national title appearance. Given the freedom of movement players are allowed today to transfer alongside the advent of NIL, there's no question that Peterson would command a price that is on-par with what Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith would receive to remain at OSU. NIL money: $15 million [Related: Jeremiah Smith launches into greater level of stardom] Michael Cohen, College Football & Basketball Writer 1. Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech As a redshirt freshman in 1999, the year before this theoretical exercise begins, Vick became a nationwide phenomenon during his first season as the Hokies' starter. One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks of all time, he scored three rushing touchdowns in the opening half of his collegiate debut against James Madison to kickstart an unforgettable campaign. Vick guided Virginia Tech to an 11-0 record that earned the Hokies a berth in the BCS National Championship game against Florida State. He finished the season third in the Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 585 yards and eight touchdowns. The NIL money would have poured in ahead of his second and final season as the Hokies' starter in 2000 before the Atlanta Falcons selected him No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. NIL money: $30 million 2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville The natural heir to Vick's throne as an elite dual-threat weapon, Jackson turned in one of the greatest quarterback seasons in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2016. His statistical production wildly outpaced anything Vick ever did at Virginia Tech with gaudy numbers in the air (3,543 yards, 30 TDs) and on the ground (1,571 yards, 21 TDs) to form a highlight reel that, to this day, still feels otherworldly. Can you imagine any other quarterback pulling off Jackson's hurdle touchdown against Syracuse? He all but replicated that incredible season as a junior in 2017 by throwing for 3,660 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1,601 yards and 18 additional scores. His market share in the NIL world would have been immense. NIL money: $25 million 3. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas Given that only one of McFadden's three seasons at Arkansas ended with double-digit victories, it's easy to forget just how good this legendary tailback really was. He rushed for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2005 to set the stage for two unforgettable campaigns in 2006 and 2007, both of which saw McFadden finish second in the Heisman Trophy voting before the Oakland Raiders took him No. 4 overall in the NFL Draft. He ran for 1,647 yards and 14 touchdowns in '06 for a Razorbacks team that finished 10-4 overall and 7-1 in the SEC while also completing 7-of-9 passes for 69 yards and three touchdowns as the team's wildcat quarterback. His junior season was even better: 325 carries for 1,830 yards and 21 touchdowns with an additional four passing touchdowns through the air. A player doesn't get much more marketable than that. NIL Money: $20 million Another player whose career straddles the turn of the century, Peppers would have had immense market value given his crossover appeal as a member of both the football and basketball teams for the Tar Heels. On the football field, where Peppers was a menacing pass rusher, he earned first-team All-American honors in 2000 after leading the nation with 15 sacks and finishing third in the country with 24 tackles for loss. The following year, in 2001, he was named a consensus All-American after ranking up 9.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and three interceptions, all of which netted him the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lombardi Award, the Bill Willis Award and a 10th-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. On the basketball court, where Peppers played two seasons, he averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game across 56 appearances. He scored a career-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game against Penn State in 2001. Tar Heels boosters would have swooned. NIL money: $15 million 5. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia Who doesn't love a diminutive dynamo? Austin measured in at a lithe 5-8 and 174 pounds when he attended the NFL scouting combine in 2013 and ran the 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.29 seconds following an exceptional career with the Mountaineers. A standout high school running back, Austin was officially converted to wide receiver during his freshman season at West Virginia, but he remained an explosive threat wherever and whenever he touched the ball: as a pass catcher (29 career TDs), as a runner (six career TDs), as a kick returner (four career TDs), as a punt returner (one career TD). He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior in 2012 after catching 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 scores while also carrying the ball 72 times for 643 yards and three more touchdowns, plus one touchdown each as a kick returner and punt returner. Austin was a beloved weapon among loyal disciples of the EA Sports College Football video game franchise. NIL money: $10 million Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him at @RJ_Young . Michael Cohen covers college football and basketball for FOX Sports with an emphasis on the Big Ten. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13 . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Did CBS Sports actually rank 'Johnny Football' ahead of Longhorns legend Vince Young?
CBS Sports has released a 25 most dynamic players of the past 25 years. Inexplicably, the network ranked four players ahead of Longhorns legend Vince Young, including Texas A&M quarterback Johnny 'Football' Manziel. CBS writer Brad Crawford admits even his own colleagues differ on the definition of "dynamic." Crawford ranks USC running back Reggie Bush No. 1. I think any Texas fan that was in the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006 knew Vince Young had a much greater ability to take over a game than Bush. Bush had flashy runs, but ultimately, he couldn't beat VY. Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 over Young. But if you really look at that season, Bush had an incredible performance against Fresno State and became the Heisman front runner the rest of the season. Many votes assumed USC was going to beat Texas and so they "logically" voted for Bush. In hindsight, the best college football player in 2005 was the Texas QB. Cam Newton is ranked No. 2. I think VY was better, but their careers, body type and style are very similar. Crawford reveals he grew up in the South watching the SEC. So there's definitely some SEC bias in his rankings. Of course, going forward, the Longhorns will benefit from the SEC bias that has dominated college football for 20 years. Johnny Football is ranked No. 3. There's no doubt that Manziel's freshman year was epic. The Aggies looked like a very average team until Manziel became QB and they had a very solid 12-2 season. Manziel was by far the best player on that team and they fed him the ball. His size certainly made him look more dynamic. More on that in a bit. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle "Few players have garnered "SEC legend" status over the last few decades and change, but Johnny Football earned the decorative title. Beating top-ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa was his signature moment, yet Manziel was just as potent in a breakout game against SMU and during a memorable comeback against Duke during bowl season. As a redshirt freshman in 2012 under Kevin Sumlin, Manziel rushed for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns, breaking more tackles than any player at his position. The Heisman winner toned down the freelance scrambling as a sophomore but still finished with 4,114 yards passing and a SEC-leading 37 touchdown passes." -- Brad Crawford, CBS Sports Crawford ranks Lamar Jackson No. 4. Jackson was very good. I guess any QB that got that Louisville team inside the Top 25. Was he clutch? At times. I'd still rank VY ahead of Jackson though. Finally, at No. 5 is Vince Young. Crawford talks about his epic Rose Bowl, which is obvious. He mentions going 13-0 and beating ranked teams, including a 70-point offensive explosion in the Big 12 title game against Colorado. "Young's mad dash to the pylon to beat USC at the Rose Bowl ended one of college football's most iconic sequences and preceded the confetti storm of a celebration under the lights in Pasadena. Most college football fans of a certain age remember where they were that night. Young didn't the Heisman that season, but Texas knocked off four ranked teams en route to a 13-0 record. Young's heroics on offense helped that spectacular unit eclipse 50 or more points seven times, including a 70-point showing in the Big 12 Championship Game." -- Brad Crawford, CBS Sports Aside from almost single-handedly taking down a dynasty, going 13-0 should be given more weight. Of course Texas had a good team, but without VY they wouldn't have been one of the greatest single season teams of all time. Texas was only in danger of losing a couple games. One was against Kansas, when Young converted a 4th and 18 with his legs. The other was against USC. If you look at the 2005 season, VY was never going to allow Texas to lose. Did anyone feel that about Johnny Football? Did anyone feel that about Lamar Jackson for that matter? If you look at Young's most dynamic games, like against Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl, or against Oklahoma State, or OU and so on, VY was not going to be stopped. Not by any team. His size, speed, instincts, arm all made him possibly the best player in college football history. If Young had returned to Texas for the 2006 season, who would have stopped him? Ohio State was in the national title game and beat Texas that year in Colt McCoy's second game as a freshman. The Buckeyes were beaten by Florida in the BCS title game. Chris Leak was the Gators QB. Both were good teams. But neither would have been able to beat Young. Texas would have most likely gone 26-0 with two titles. Obviously, Manziel left College Station early. SEC fans still can't get over his freshman year. But it is overrated. The big reason is size. Manziel was little. He was listed as 6-foot, but he looked much smaller. When little guys are "dynamic" it somehow looks more impressive. In 1986, I attended the NBA Slam Dunk contest. Spud Webb 5-foot 6-inches tall and the fact he could dunk at all was amazing. But that night, Webb's Atlanta Hawks teammate Dominique Wilkins put on one of the best dunking exhibitions in the history of that competition. So athletic. So dominant. But Webb was a little guy who could dunk. It wasn't logical and thus, he won over the judges and won the trophy. And I guess that's why Crawford put Manziel ahead of Young. VY was a freight train. He was 6-foot 5-inches and looked like a god. Manziel was a little guy seemed to be breaking logic. This list is for the most "dynamic" and size factors into that. I'd say VY was more dynamic. But if the definition "dynamic" is debatable then I guess you can use that to justify Johnny Football being higher on that list. But "best?" There's no doubt Young was better.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Almost Friday Media and Fanatics Sportsbook Partner To Launch Season Two of Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel
Maxx Crosby Will Be Manziel's First Guest NEW YORK, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Almost Friday Media and Fanatics Sportsbook today announced the launch of season two of 'Glory Daze,' a weekly podcast hosted by Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Manziel. 'Glory Daze' with Johnny Manziel is an interview series from Almost Friday Media that celebrates and explores the most nostalgic eras in sports. On 'Glory Daze,' Manziel, a former first round pick, sits down to have authentic conversations with some of the most iconic and legendary names in sports as they share never-before-heard stories, discuss their career-defining moments, and much more. The first episode of the new season of 'Glory Daze' will feature Las Vegas Raiders Defensive End Maxx Crosby and will be available on June 12th via all podcast platforms. The first season of 'Glory Daze' was a huge success and featured conversations with sports icons like Matt Leinart, LeSean McCoy, Greg Oden, Patrick Peterson, Michael Vick and Vince Young. As part of the partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook, Johnny Football will transform into 'Johnny FanCash' during live Fanatics Sportsbook ad reads and one-of-a-kind giveaways. Each week, 'Johnny FanCash' will collaborate with Fanatics Sportsbook on content and Manziel will make picks each week on the Fanatics Sportsbook, available on iOS and Android. In addition, Manziel will record an episode of Glory Daze in front of a live audience at Fanatics Fest NYC, an immersive sports festival where sports, culture, and collecting collide. Fanatics Fest NYC will take place at the Javits Center in New York City from June 20-22 and tickets are on sale at starting at $20 for kids and $60 for adults. "This season we talk to athletes still in the glory daze, former athletes, and even notable fans,' said Manziel. 'Having been through some unforgettable moments myself, I know how important it is to share the real stories behind what fans saw on the field. We've lined up some amazing guests who have those same experiences - career-defining moments that fans still talk about today. This season is all about going deeper into those stories and connecting with the fans who remember these glory days just as vividly as we do. It's about celebrating the moments that shaped the sports we love." New Episodes of Glory Daze will drop every Thursday at 12 PM ET across all podcast platforms and Johnny Manziel's Youtube Channel. For previews and episode highlights please follow the Glory Daze social channels @glorydazepod on IG, X and Tiktok. Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER About Fanatics Betting and GamingLaunched in 2021, Fanatics Betting and Gaming is the online and retail sports betting subsidiary of Fanatics, a global digital sports platform. The Fanatics Sportsbook, now the fastest growing sportsbook in America*, is available to 95% of the addressable online sports bettor market in the U.S. Fanatics Casino is currently available online in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Fanatics Betting and Gaming operates twenty-two retail sports betting locations, including the only sportsbook inside an NFL stadium at Northwest Stadium. Fanatics Betting and Gaming is headquartered in New York with offices in Denver, Leeds and Dublin. About Almost Friday MediaAlmost Friday Media is a media studio and content network created by brothers Max, Jack, and Sam Barrett in November 2019. The company originated as the viral Instagram account @ and has quickly expanded to 25+ brands and creators, delivering over 1.5 billion impressions every quarter to it's 25+ million followers. Almost Friday creates relatable content that stems from the relationships we have with our friends. We've capitalized on a need for coming-of-age comedy by creating incredible communities based around sports, culture, and comedy that is positive, inclusive, and says 'we're all in this together'. * Based on compiled data from state regulators evaluating sportsbooks comprising 98.5% of the market, as of February 2025. Contact: Sign in to access your portfolio
