Texas A&M's Heisman Trophy winning sophomore quarterback Johnny Manziel has been popping up in the news all offseason following his brilliant freshman campaign, and rarely for good reasons. This time, he may have bitten off more than he can chew.
According to ESPN, Manziel is being investigated by the NCAA for accepting a five-figure payment to sign autographs in Miami the week of the BCS National Championship Game. Two sources told ESPN that Manziel signed footballs, photos, small helmets and other items in a session organized by autograph broker Drew Tieman.
He then allegedly went to Tieman's home and signed hundreds of autographs in the main room of Tieman's apartment. If Manziel is found to have accepted payment for his autograph-signing spree, he could be ruled ineligible for the 2013 season.
This isn't Manziel's first rodeo with regards to signing autographs and the suspicion of payment. Texas A&M released a statement in June in response to similar allegations that read:
"Johnny has indicated on numerous occasions and, once again earlier today, that he has never (and to his knowledge, his parents, other relatives and friends have ever) been compensated through cash or other benefits or promises of deferred compensation for providing his autograph."
Right now the university isn't commenting aside from Jason Cook, Texas A&M's senior associate athletic director of external affairs who said, "It is Texas A&M's longstanding practice not to respond to such questions concerning specific student-athletes."
Manziel's offseason has been a whirlwind of headaches. He's been criticized for flashing cash in pictures on social media, frequenting bars with rappers despite being underage, and firing off tweets that are critical of A&M. He also was reportedly kicked out of the Manning passing camp for missing a session with a hangover, which Manziel denied.
He also said that the constant media eye trained on him makes him feel like Justin Bieber.
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