Johnny Manziel recently threw in front of all 32 NFL teams, naturally stirring up rumors of the Heisman winner's possible return to the NFL. Manziel came into the league and his partying lifestyle got in the way very quickly. He was known for his partying and it being a problem during his first stint in the NFL.
Manziel fell in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft down to the 22nd pick due to his character issues that were already known in his college tenure. Manziel was an embattled prospect whose work ethic and character had been questioned. Nonetheless, his talent got him a shot in the league with the Browns.
Manziel subsequently battled his need to party while in the league and continued his descent into full-blown alcoholism.
Johnny Manziel's career was littered with off-field problems along with a lax work ethic. When competing for the starting job, his grasp on the playbook was not good enough to earn him the number 1 spot.
Off the field, it seemed as if Manziel was always making a splash. Before the final week of the regular season, he was out partying in Vegas in a disguise. On his 24th birthday, a picture of him chugging Fireball at 8 a.m. made headlines across the internet.
This article is not to simply bash how Johnny Manziel handled his time in the NFL, however, this introduction does have a larger purpose.
As mentioned earlier, Manziel is attempting to make a comeback in a fashion that is, at worst, an incredible marketing scheme. His #ComebackSZN merchandise has sold well and helped get him back in the spotlight.
His pro-day showing at Texas A&M was viewed by representatives of all 32 NFL teams. Manziel has seemingly managed to turn his life around and is hoping for a second shot.
I truly hope he does get another shot. It would be a cool story, and I do not hate Manziel. But there is another free-agent QB that wants a shot at being on an NFL roster, one with a much better case for a return.
Colin Kaepernick is an NFC Champion with much better numbers and more experience than Manziel could imagine. Kaepernick quarterbacked a 49ers team to a near Super Bowl title but his career took a hit after Harbaugh left the 49ers.
Colin Kaepernick has also been off an NFL roster for quite some time and wants to play, but most likely will not get a chance to do so.
Kaepernick has real NFL experience (playing for the Browns barely counts, Johnny) and has actually seen the postseason. His track record is much more proven and Colin Kaepernick should absolutelyget another shot before Manziel does.
This is not a drag on Manziel, but really just frustration with how we tend to view Kaepernick and the double-standard at play here.
Kaepernick has realistically been eliminated as a candidate for signing simply for speaking his mind on social justice. I do not agree with everything Kaepernick does or says, and not signing him is ultimately up to team front offices.
However, allowing a person with Manziel's off-field track record and an unproven NFL career to get a shot before Kaepernick reveals a larger issue.
Despite alcoholism, domestic violence issues, and other character issues that have plagued him, 32 teams watched Manziel throw. The Patriots even met with Manziel after his performance. NFL executives can do what they want, but it sends a not so great message to people if Manziel gets signed before Kaep.
Manziel has not shown crazy signs of NFL potential, and his character problems have plagued him since college. Yet, there are plenty of rumors swirling about his comeback.
Do not get me wrong, I applaud Manziel for getting his life together. At the rate he was going, he was going to be dead at a very young age. I truly hope his NFL comeback is a success and his life only trends upward from here.
Yet, a black quarterback who decided to start a conversation through a protest finds himself out of a job with a completely dry phone.
On top of that, from a social aspect, I have seen a lot more support for Manziel than Kaepernick. Despite a clean legal record, Kaepernick is viewed as this outcast from the league. Meanwhile, a trust fund baby with a drinking problem is getting another opportunity.
Manziel himself admitted exactly what my point is here: Kaepernick has the talent, and his lack of a contract is not due to his ability.
This is something I find unsettling. Athletes should not be pushed out of the league for speaking their mind in a peaceful manner. Colin Kaepernick recently completed a pledge to donate $1 million to charity. His off-field issues do not exist, yet he is a black quarterback with a voice.
It is impossible not to see the double-standard here. One quarterback has a criminal background and went to rehab multiple times. One is a black man with a voice that a few people do not like.
Colin Kaepernick deserves a second chance in the league before Manziel does. He is more proven and has a cleaner track record. He just uses his voice, which can be a problem for a lot of people.
