Here’s the thing about this whole Johnny Manziel mess…I don’t agree with the NCAA, I think college athletes should be able to make money off their own name, BUT it is their current rules. So if Johnny Football did what he’s accused of – he should be punished for it. I don’t agree with it, but it’s the rules. Well Dez Bryant went off on the NCAA, but also thinks Johnny should be suspended. His perspective is very interesting.
Check it out…
Via ESPN:
The NCAA’s investigation of Johnny Manziel brings up bad memories and bitter feelings for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, who was suspended for the final 10 games of his college career.
Bryant has mixed emotions while he closely monitors coverage of Manziel’s situation after allegations that the Texas A&M star violated NCAA rules by being paid to sign autographs. While Bryant wants to watch Manziel play this season, he said the NCAA’s hypocrisy would bother him if the reigning Heisman Trophy winner isn’t suspended.
“Hell, yeah, I’ll be mad. I’ll be mad,” said Bryant, who was a Heisman candidate in 2009 before being suspended for lying to an NCAA investigator about a lunch with former NFL star Deion Sanders that didn’t violate any NCAA rules. “But I don’t want him to get suspended. I would be mad more at the NCAA for how they do things.
“I just feel like it’s not fair. This is something I have no problem talking about because I feel like somebody needs to say something to them and let it be known how they treat people is not right.”
Bryant said he feels like he “didn’t get the same love” from the media as Manziel when he was under scrutiny by the NCAA. He attributes that to Manziel’s status as a Heisman Trophy winner and the popularity of the Texas A&M program.
“I don’t think my situation was as [bad] as his,” Bryant said. “Johnny Manziel is a great football player. I really hope him the best. I hope he doesn’t get suspended. I pray that he don’t get suspended, because I love watching him. But as far as the NCAA, I just think they do a lot of stuff unfair.”
“All I did was lie about going over to somebody’s house and I got my season taken away from me,” Bryant said. “Still to this day, I think about it. It bothers me. I can’t get it back. No matter how much money I make in this league … that really meant something to me.
“I just think the NCAA, they don’t do a good enough job. I just honestly feel like it’s about money and TV ratings.”
Bryant is adamant that he never accepted any improper benefits at Oklahoma State, saying he lied to the NCAA investigator because he was scared while being interrogated. However, Bryant firmly believes that college athletes should be allowed to profit off of their celebrity status, pointing out that the NCAA sold Manziel’s jersey on its website until changing the policy recently after being criticized by the media.
“I feel like players in the NCAA should [be allowed to make money on endorsements and autograph signings],” Bryant said. “Those fans are coming to watch them and support them. Whenever you’re in college, it’s different. You don’t get paid like the NFL gets paid. I think it would be OK to have a little money in your pocket. It’s hard in college. You’ve got to get a job if you can. You’ve got to practice. It’s just hard. Sometimes the training table is not good enough.
“[Manziel] should be able to sign as many autographs and make as much money as he wants, because it’s his name. He’s the one who created it. He should be able to do whatever he feels, as long as it’s legal, and I don’t think anything is illegal about signing your name on a picture of yourself, making money off yourself.
“The NCAA makes money off of it when they sell those No. 2 shirts, so why can’t he make a little bit of money off it?”
