Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is on board with the growing list of people who feel that Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel needs to learn to keep a lower profile. On Saturday, Manziel provided the Aggies with a major spark against Rice after serving his one-half suspension. He came in and immediately electrified the offense, but Urlacher didn’t like the extra stuff that came along with it.
“I’m not saying he’s a punk, but he acted like a punk in that game,” the FOX Football Daily analyst said Monday. “Like his coach said, guys are going to come after him all season long.
“He’s the reigning Heisman winner. He’s making plays out there and running around and running his mouth obviously, but he’s going to have to learn to deal with that.”
Urlacher was referring to the fact that Manziel looked like he had absolutely no remorse over the “punishment” the NCAA handed him in the wake of the ongoing autograph scandal. He gestured like he was signing an autograph at a Rice player after throwing a touchdown. Couple that with an offseason that involved getting thrown out of frat parties and you can see why people like Urlacher would be critical of Johnny Football.
“He’s such a good football player,” Urlacher said. “You saw in the second half what he did, three touchdown passes and ran it pretty well. It’s just too bad he had to act like that. I’m pulling for the guy, I want him to do well.”
Joe Flacco also said he is rooting for Manziel, so Urlacher is not the only former or current NFL star who is a fan of the 20-year-old’s game. The thing a lot of people forget is that Manziel is successful in part because of his attitude and controversial personality. In many ways, he probably wouldn’t be the same player without it.
