Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston closed the gap - ever so slightly - in his name-recognition battle with Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel. With a little help.
Florida State held its football media day on Sunday. Winston, who will battle sophomore Jacob Coker for the starting Seminoles QB job in the fall, caught the attention of the social media world when he responded to a question about Manziel.
Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, is currently under investigation by the NCAA for making money on signing autographs. The episode is the latest in a long line of offseason controversy for Manziel.
According to a tweet from Perry Kostidaikis that was posted on a USA Today story, sports editor of @FSView, Winston told local reporters, "If I ever get Manziel disease, I want all of you to smack me in the head with your microphones."
The comment drew a lot of intention for the apparent shot at the embattled Manziel.
CBSSports.com, however, defended the Seminoles quarterback, clarifying the context of the comment. It posted a tweet from D.C. Reeves, the managing editor of Warchant.com. The site is the Rivals.com network site covering Florida State University.
That tweet read:
"For context, the reporter used the term 'Manziel disease' in his question to Winston, he just repeated it. #FSU"
Winston, whom the Orlando Sentinel describes as the Florida State football team "goofball" is a two-sport star whom CBSSports.com says many believe will be the Seminoles' starting quarterback in the season opener against Pittsburgh at Heinz Field on Sept. 2.
During his time with the media Sunday, Winston said his potential job as the starting quarterback would be easier than that of Manziel, touting the strength of the Seminoles' offensive line.
In another tweet from Kostidiakis, Winston said: "Look at Johnny Manziel. Didn't he have a O lineman drafted in 1st rd? I've got 5 of them."
Winston soon could get his chance at more fame during the upcoming season, and how he'll handle it could be closely watched.
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