Johnny Manziel tweets firestorm defending Colin Kaepernick
Former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, who hasn’t played in the NFL since he was released by the Cleveland Browns, doesn’t want people comparing him to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
But Manziel didn’t mean that as a knock on Kaepernick, who has sparked controversy for his refusal to stand during the pregame playing of the national anthem.
Rather, in a series of tweets, Manziel praised Kaepernick, noting that the former 49ers star “is doing amazing things right now changing lives.”
Manziel’s Twitter remarks came two days after he showed off his skills in front of NFL scouts, serving as the quarterback at the University of San Diego’s pro day. Manziel, a 2014 first-round pick, is trying to work his way back into the league.
In February, Manziel revealed that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year, saying he had started taking medication and was seeing improvements. The former Texas A&M star also said he had stopped drinking.
Now, he wants another shot at the NFL.
And though it seems like the narrative surrounding Manziel has changed in recent months, many people have been left wondering why he, and not Kaepernick, might get another chance to play in the NFL.
Manziel, however, is tired of those sorts of comparisons. In a Saturday tweetstorm, he defended his fellow quarterback for taking a stand and said “the reason (Kaepernick is) not being signed are non football based.”
“In my opinion the guy still has a lot in the tank but it’s not my place to say what he wants to do with his career,” Manziel tweeted, after pointing out that Kaepernick once led his team to a Super Bowl. “All I can speak for is myself and trying to turn my life around from the depths it was in. God bless and have a great Saturday.”
Manziel concluded by wishing Kaepernick “all the best.”
Since opting out of his contract with the 49ers last offseason, Kaepernick has not been signed by any other club. He has claimed that he is being blackballed by the league for his national anthem protest.
In his last season with San Francisco, he threw for 2,241 yards in 12 games, with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.
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