The Journey of Johnny Manziel: Discussing Manziel's 1st NFL Start

Sunday, December 14, 2014, to some this may just be an ordinary date, but if you are a fan of Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns, it could be the beginning of a magical ride.

This Sunday Johnny Manziel will make his first career NFL start and it is a start that has been awaited, to some, since his days playing high school football in Texas.

In his high school days, Johnny Manziel was a legend. His highlight reel plays can be found everywhere on YouTube and were showed repeatedly on sports television during his days at Texas A&M.

Manziel wanted to attend the University of Texas, but was not given an offer by Head Coach Mack Brown at the time. The decision would come back to haunt the Longhorns and will do so for years to come.

Manziel was supposed to attend Oregon, but never played a game in Eugene, Oregon and later enrolled that year at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. The decision would turn out to be a life changer and turn him into an instant success.

He would go on to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy and become the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy award. He led Texas A&M to an upset victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 2012. It would turn out to be his “Heisman moment” and led him to be the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.

He got even more publicity with his off the field lifestyle than his play on the field. His videos of partying in clubs, hanging out with stars like Lebron James, all got him fame that no other college football player has ever received.

He has been insulted because of his bold, cocky and sometimes arrogant attitude both on and off the field. It has gotten him this far and it has to be looked at as being a competitive person more than anything else. Manziel, being an undersized quarterback, has been doubted his entire life and you know that gives him a chip on his shoulder attitude that you have to appreciate.

Manziel would go on to be the 22^nd overall pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was expected by some to be named the starter to begin the season, but was beat out by Brian Hoyer. Hoyer has led the Browns to a surprisingly 7-6 record, but now its Johnny Football’s time.

Manziel will finally get his first career start against the Cincinnati Bengals. So what should we expect from him on Sunday as he finally makes that first career start?

I feel he will bring an excitement that hasn’t been matched by many other athletes in the history of Cleveland sports. In a town that hasn’t experienced a professional championship in half a decade his energy will be a welcomed sight by most.

I feel he will have his bright moments with exciting scramble plays as we are accustomed to seeing by Manziel. He will also have his time of rocky plays where he looks like a rookie in the NFL. Overall I feel it will be a successful debut, but whether it results in a win is yet to be seen.

I say Manziel passes for around 200 yards a couple touchdowns and an interception. He will bring more positive excitement and energy that Cleveland needs to stay in the AFC North playoff race. I think the Bengals defeat the Browns in Johnny Manziel’s debut, but Manziel’s play will be pretty successful when all is said and done on Sunday.

It is a historic moment in the history of the NFL, Cleveland Browns and Johnny Manziel’s life. It is an exciting time to see a personality like Manziel’s enter the NFL because of his passion and bold personality. It is a turnoff to some, but if you are truly a competitive person who loves to win his passion and spirit is a thing of beauty.