ESPN, the regular, not The Ocho, has been documenting pretty much every move of Heisman Trophy winner, and all-around smug douchebag Johnny Manziel pretty much all-summer. Ever since abandoning all hope on the TimTebow campaign, the network figured, hey, let’s follow around this 20-year-old, alcoholic fame whore.
Well, in the essence of getting what they wanted, the Texas A&M star has melted down in an almost spectacular Justin Bieber/Amanda Bynes-esque fashion. Even to the point where Manziel’s father has been quoted talking about the two Johnnies. It’s a great read, it’s awesome television, but it feels like ESPN is making the story, and making it worse by the coverage.
Manziel’s spotlight grew immensely brighter when the Freshman quarterback knocked off Alabama last year, and then became the first Freshman to win the Heisman. Since that time, ESPN has been detailing the pressures of the spotlight … By applying more pressure from the spotlight.
I’m not saying Manziel’s a bad kid for being a college kid, and developing crutches because people won’t leave him alone, what I’m thinking is ESPN’s relentless coverage of the downfall of Manziel, is almost designed to have this kid fail in epic fashion, even though his fame should really just be starting. Read the article out this week, and pay attention to the SportsCenter and First Take coverage, it’s seemingly pre-ordained to have the kid fail, and it seems like its all for ratings.