Charles Barkley: Johnny Manziel could make me root for Alabama

Charles Barkley spent four seasons playing college basketball at Auburn. During that time, he developed a hatred for Alabama like any other loyal Auburn student would. However, he may be willing to cast that hatred aside if it means seeing Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M lose on Saturday.

During an interview with ESPN 1000 in Chicago’s Waddle and Silvy on Wednesday, Barkley said Manziel’s antics over the past several months have made the star quarterback impossible to root for — even when he is facing the Crimson Tide.

“Johnny Manziel, he’s doing something I never thought was possible,” Barkley said, per AL.com’s Mark Heim. “He’s going to make me root for Alabama this weekend. I never thought I would say those words. I am so close to saying ‘Roll Tide.’ Johnny Manziel is annoying me so much. I’m really close to saying ‘Roll Tide.'”

Coming from a guy who tends to cross the line when ragging on Alabama, that says a lot. Manziel has become incredibly easy to hate, and it’s not just because he is a Heisman Trophy winner who has dominated college football. People are also annoyed at the fact that he acted like a jackass after being suspended for a half against Rice. Others think it’s ridiculous that he has a Drake ‘OVO’ tattoo on his wrist.

“(Auburn Nation is) not going to be happy,” Barkley added. “But let me tell you something. Johnny Manziel, oh my God, the only thing saving Manziel is Miley Cyrus. I just think that Johnny Manziel has done a lot of stupid stuff in the last three or four months.”

That he has, Chuck. That he has. Manziel is under a brighter spotlight than most 20-year-olds, but he does very little to deflect the attention. As long as he continues to back it up, there won’t be much anyone can say.