Johnny Manziel Paid $7,500 For Signing 300 Texas A& M Helmets, Connecticut Broker Alleges

Johnny Manziel was paid $7,500 for autographing an assortment of 300 mini-and-full-sized helmets, a Connecticut-based broker told ESPN.

According to ESPN, the man claims Manziel signed the helmets on Jan. 11-12 while attending the Walter Camp Football Foundation event during about an hour long session. The broker also provided ESPN with two cell phone videos allegedly showing Manziel signing the merchandise, described as white Texas A&M helmets laid out on a hotel room bed.

The website also reports the broker said the videos, approximately nine minutes in length in total, were initially shot only to be used as proof with authenticating company PSA/DNA. Initially he sought money from ESPN for access to the footage, but after that offer was denied decided to allow the network to view the footage.

ESPN adds that Manziel was not aware the session was being taped and can be overheard saying “you never did a signing with me" and that if the broker were to tell anyone, he would refuse to deal with him again in the future. Manziel also warned the man that if word of the incident got out he would say he had simply been approached by various autograph seekers.

At one point, ESPN notes another broker can be heard asking Manziel if he would take additional cash to sign with special inscriptions, but Manziel declined, indicating he had done that before and it led to questions.

The video does not show Manziel accepting cash, but in all the broker alleges he did so three different times, telling him he needed the money for new rims for his vehicle.

If the NCAA investigation finds that Manziel has violated NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.1 -- accepting money for promoting or advertising the commercial sale of a product or service -- he could be ruled ineligible.

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