N C A A ready for a fall...

    Right off the bat let me say that I am NOT a fan of Texas A&M and I am not related to Johnny Manziel. The internet and sports channels are rampant with news about the Aggie's quarterback in trouble for signing autographs and receiving thousands of dollars in exchange for that service.
   Before I delve into that financial squabble, let's refresh some memories from last season.

     After winning the Southeastern Conference Championship over Alabama and then a bowl win, Johnny Manziel became the first freshman in history to: (1) pass for three thousand yards in a single season, (2) run the football for over one thousand yards in a single season, and (3) to win the Heisman Trophy, emblematic of the best college football player in the land....and if you watched the Bama game you had no doubt about this.
   Johnny Football (his nickname has been patented by Texas A&M) is no flash in the pan. He had crowds standing and cheering when he took over the quarterback position in his sophomore year at Kerrville Tivy High School. Now experts are down on him for some mistakes he has made since winning the Heisman. He is a twenty-year old college kid,..come on! He got caught drinking beer and then another time got into a fight. Everyone reading this that has been involved in one of those incidents raise your hand. See,..I rest my case. 
     Now,..ESPN says they have been notified that Manziel signed hundreds of jerseys and helmets in exchange for ten-thousand dollars from a guy in Florida. The Floridian told Manziel he plans to sell the items on Ebay. Here is the fly in the ointment for the NCAA, who is investigating the incident. Manziel admits to signing the items (there are photos of him signing them) but does not admit to taking any money. Johnny's father is a successful businessman and the family is described as 'affluent.'  If so, why would Johnny take a paltry ten-thousand when millions are awaiting him when he finishes his A&M playing days?  His Dad did voice concern lately over some of the decisions his son has made involving the attention he has received.

     Since winning the Heisman, Manziel has been hassled by the media and fans alike. Everyone is demanding some time with the talented young man. Texas A&M is ready to start drills in preparation for the 2013 season and now this latest scandal is hanging over the entire team......BUT the NCAA rule reads: An athlete can not receive money or any merchandise, now or in the future, in exchange for their autograph. The NCAA has photos of Manziel signing autographs, but none of him accepting any money, and as of the writing of this blog, their informant is back-tracking on his story of Manziel taking money.

      The NCAA needs to join the 21st Century and follow the example of the Olympic Committee in allowing athletes to control their own names. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) could not control amateur athletes from third-world countries so they eliminated their rule in the 1980's, but the NCAA continues their strangle hold on college athletes. College football and basketball players bring in millions of dollars for the NCAA and they want to control who gets those funds. It is time to allow the individual athlete to be able to control his own name. If someone wants to pay him to sign a cap or tee-shirt, I say let them do it. Scholarship athletes have their books, rooms, meals, and schooling paid for, but they still must exist from month to month. Some athletes are forced to sell jerseys, shoes, and school rings just to have some 'walking around' money. 
   Since they have NO evidence on Johnny Manziel, this case might be just the thing to bring the NCAA into the light of justice, and then maybe a rule change might be happening. 

UPDATE:  As of today (Friday, August 9, 2013) the NCAA admitted they are NOT 'actively investigating' the case of Johnny Manziel. The NCAA also said the organization will NO LONGER sell individual football jersey numbers on it's national website. The NCAA spokesman admitted to a hypocrisy in its sales department and rules against individual players.