Call him Johnny Pro Football
JOHNNY FOOTBALL is going pro.
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel — who came to be known as “Johnny Football” in 2012 when he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy — is declaring for the NFL draft. After a second strong season that saw him become a Heisman finalist again, Manziel is expected to be a firstround pick and one of the top three signalcallers selected.
The NFL Network reported Wednesday that Manziel has filed the paperwork required to be in the May draft. Later in the day he posted a note to thank fans on the Texas A&M website.
“After long discussions with my family, friends, teammates, and coaches, I have decided to make myself available for the 2014 NFL draft,” the note said. “The decision was not an easy one, but we all felt this was the right time to make the next step toward a professional career.”
In two seasons with Texas A&M, he passed for 7,820 yards and 63 touchdowns and rushed for 2,169 yards and 30 touchdowns. His career was not without controversy. Invited to the Manning family’s quarterbacks camp in Louisiana, Manziel left early — he said it was a mutual decision — because he had overslept and missed some of the scheduled events.
He also was suspended for the first half of the Aggies’ opener this season after the NCAA investigated whether he received payment to sign memorabilia.
JAMEIS FACES CIVIL SUIT
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston celebrated his birthday with a win in the BCS title game on Monday. On Wednesday, the lawyer for his alleged rape victim told ABC News that she “absolutely” plans to file a civil suit against Winston and the Tallahassee Police Department.
“I want heads to roll,” Pat Carroll told ABC.
“Absolutely you are going to see a civil suit. You cannot have law enforcement that is not held accountable.”
The woman claims Winston raped her on Dec. 7, 2012, according to a police report, but prosecutors didn’t get the case until about a year later.
Last month, State Attorney Willie Meggs announced no charges would be filed against Winston, the Heisman Trophy winner.
Carroll also said her client, for her own safety, has been warned by authorities to stay away from the school.
PETRINO BACK TO LOUISVILLE
Bobby Petrino is returning to Louisville, where his rise in coaching started. Since compiling a 41-9 record with the Cardinals from 2003 to 2006, he has become better known for being fired at Arkansas amid a salacious scandal.
Petrino has accepted the job, according to The Associated Press, and he could be introduced as head coach as soon as Thursday morning.
He left Louisville to take over the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, for whom he was coach when Michael Vick was suspended for his part in running a dogfighting ring. Petrino left before the season ended — the team was 3-10 — to accept the job at Arkansas. He was fired in the spring of 2012 after he tried to cover up an adulterous affair with a staffer.
He and the woman, Jessica Dorrell, were involved in a motorcycle accident, and Petrino initially said he had been alone.
Petrino was the head coach at Western Kentucky this past season. Louisville’s job opened Saturday when Charlie Strong left it to take over at Texas.