The odd story of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel abruptly leaving the Manning Passing Academy has taken another odd turn, with Manziel reportedly apologizing to his coaches -- but still no word on what he has to apologize for.
Manziel, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who’s expected to enter the 2014 NFL draft, left the Manning Passing Academy early, but officials there denied Manziel was sent home for partying too hard. Manziel’s dad later said his son was recuperating from dehydration. Now Joe Schad of ESPN reports that Manziel has apologized to the Aggies’ coaching staff and has privately conceded that he needs to continue to mature.
So what is Manziel apologizing for? Not remembering to drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day?
Manziel’s maturity will be a much-discussed subject throughout the remainder of his college football career and into the NFL draft, when teams will weigh whether his off-field red flags -- including a guilty plea today to a misdemeanor charge in connection with a bar fight -- outweigh his on-field talent. Apologizing is a step toward demonstrating maturity, but NFL teams would like a franchise quarterback who doesn’t do things he has to apologize for in the first place.
Manziel will have plenty of questions to answer at Wednesday morning’s appearance at the SEC media day.
