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Texas A&M Football

To the 12th Man: A personal message from Johnny Manziel

January 8, 2014
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Message from Johnny Manziel ... in his own words

THANK YOU, AGGIELAND!

To All My Friends in Aggieland,

After long discussions with my family, friends, teammates, and coaches, I have decided to make myself available for the 2014 NFL Draft. The decision was not an easy one. Anyone who has ever watched a football game at Kyle Field knows that leaving that atmosphere, those Saturdays with excitement, color, and noise, will be hard for me. I cannot begin to tell you what the support of the school, my teammates, Coach Sumlin, Chancellor Sharp and the fans has meant to me over the last two years. The Heisman Trophy belongs as much to you as it does to me. My teammates and I never doubted the value or the deep and real spirit of The 12th Man. It is not a myth. Anyone who has ever played football for Texas A&M knows that passion is real.

I promise you I will always be an Aggie. I will always try to make you as proud of me in the NFL as I did at Texas A&M. While there are many wonderful memories I will take with me – big wins, surprising upsets, and Bowl victories – I most cherish standing arm in arm with my teammates during the postgame, singing the alma mater, or jumping into the stands to feel real Aggie spirit. I regret we weren’t able to bring a National Championship to College Station, but I assure you a championship is going to come soon with Coach Sumlin and these talented players. And when it does, you can bet I will be with you to cheer and celebrate. I’ll probably be the loudest one there.

Thank you for making my college years very special. The faces, the friends, the fans, and the experience will forever be an important part of my life. Gig ’em Aggies! I’ll always love you guys.

Sincerely,

Johnny Manziel
Discussion from...

To the 12th Man: A personal message from Johnny Manziel

54,254 Views | 97 Replies | Last: 10 yr ago by rocky the dog
Jimi_Rod
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AG
The best of the best.
TAMU74
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AG
Can't say Thanks enough for everything you did for A&M.
It's been great the last 2 years watching you play..
I remember asking my wife as we watched you play in your first game, our first SEC game, against Florida...who the hell is this guy??
It's been a great ride.
Best always and especially on Sundays.
Win At Life
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My boy grew up during many years that weren't much fun to watch Aggie football. He never understood the excitement I carried from the late 80's to early 90's. Thanks for making my boy's first year at A&M fun again. NOW he understands.
scottiebz
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G O A T !
coupland boy
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quote:
My boy grew up during many years that weren't much fun to watch Aggie football. He never understood the excitement I carried from the late 80's to early 90's. Thanks for making my boy's first year at A&M fun again. NOW he understands.


Well said. There have been times that I questioned (at the lowest of the lows) whether it was worth being so emotionally invested Aggie football.

Several games in 2010, 2009 tech, 2006 in Austin, kept me hooked enough to make it all worthwhile in 2012 and 2013. At any rate that was a good post and wanted to recognize it.
smartag11
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Thanks for the memories! We will miss the amazing excitement you brought to every game but wish you nothing but the very best! God bless you!!!
stegler
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PharmD4
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Rock582
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rgarza35
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I was at A&M in Jackie Sherrill years. Johnny, thanks for making a guy in his late 40's feel like a college kid again.

Gig Em.
OKC~Ag
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sleepybeagle
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Go out and do great things in the NFL!
LoudestWHOOP!
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Best of everything to you in your life and your NFL career.
pdc093
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Woodlands aTm
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Chickenhawk
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quote:
For some reason I was fine with it before, but now I feel like I just got dumped.
southparkaggie
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I'm only 36, but I saw the greatest game in my mind ever in the history of A&M. To be in Alabama that day and how it came about, how I got there. Driving without any tickets or a motel room, but seeing them get off the bus, meeting John David Crow, and then watching that, was the best day of my life. Sports related of course, well truely it probably was the greatest day ever, because I was with my wife too.

Gig 'Em Johny F Football!!
bruiser07
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We'll miss you Johnny! Ur the best! Good luck in the NFL!
stardustag
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coupland boy
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quote:
I'm only 36, but I saw the greatest game in my mind ever in the history of A&M. To be in Alabama that day and how it came about, how I got there. Driving without any tickets or a motel room, but seeing them get off the bus, meeting John David Crow, and then watching that, was the best day of my life. Sports related of course, well truely it probably was the greatest day ever, because I was with my wife too.


That's pretty cool! Good for you.
FairwayAg
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Thanks Johnny! You are an amazing talent. Best of luck in the NFL and life.
Field
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We'll miss you JFF, but you've certainly earned your opportunity at the next level.
Last year and this was history in the making. It was the perfect storm; SEC, Sumlin, you, and the power of the 12th man will never be matched again in all of A&M history.

Can't wait to see you on Sundays now!
Gig 'Em.
Dread Pirate Roberts
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The greatest ever!
Corps Trip
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Good Luck Johnny -
SidetrackAg
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Gig em Johnny!
Space91
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Talk about leaving a legacy at A&M - thanks for the great memories Johnny!
rocky the dog
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On the day that I learned you chose to attend A&M, I knew we were in for some great times. You did not disappoint. Now that you are going into the NFL, I will consider every TD you score to be for Texas A&M. Whether you destroy the record book or not, we will always be proud of you. Best of luck with your career. Gig 'em, Johnny!
 
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