A strange and tumultuous offseason for Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel has gotten even weirder, as Fox Sports columnist Jen Floyd Engel has compared the Heisman-winning controversy king to civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
In a recent article, Engel referenced the ugly history of racism in the United States and wrote the following about Parks' integral role in changing that national mindset:
"What kick-started change was an average, everyday woman named Rosa Parks, who had grown tired of being tired. Hers was not the first protest, nor was it particularly the best. It was merely the tipping point for many Americans long since tired of these immoral laws."
She used that example as a scene setter for Manziel's potential to re-jigger the NCAA's rules on player compensation. While the NCAA's Draconian rules have come under fire recently, few have resorted to slavery comparisons when describing them.
Engel's controversial work has been criticized in light of her ill-fitting comparison. Deadspin.com dug up a piece about former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor's banishment from the college game and subsequent NFL suspension, likening Pryor to a "terrorist."
"He did not play enforcer for the NCAA. Nor did he overstep his bounds or act as a capricious holy roller, as many have implied. In this increasingly ugly and infinitely cynical time in college football, he took a stand. Roger sent a clear message that the NFL will no longer be a safe harbor for college football terrorists."
Pryor had been suspended for receiving free tattoos in exchange for Buckeyes memorabilia.
"Whatever your argument against suspending Pryor - the rules are arcane and hypocritical, athletes should be paid, the NCAA is fraudulent and obsolete - none justifies his wanton disregard for his teammates and his school or entitles him to walk away without being nicked by a mess of his creation."
Now, Manziel is sure to be bombarded with questions about Parks, and perhaps even Pryor. The ex-Buckeye was forced to enter the NFL's supplemental draft after his NCAA troubles mounted too high. Manziel, facing heavy scrutiny and an investigation, may be in the same position.
Johnny Football's attorney doesn't appear worried, though. "I can't say much other than we're working through the process," Jim Darnell said. "He's cooperating with the investigation. We think when all this comes out on the other end, he'll be the starting quarterback for the Aggies against Rice" in the season opener Aug. 31."
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