Johnny Football speaks to media for first time

Tweet-style (and length) summary of Manziel's teleconference responses

• Johnny Football was something that started being thrown out when I first got to A&M. Funny and people enjoy it.

• Johnny Football phenomenon has been out of my hands and I'm not focused on that. Just focused on trying to win games.
  
  
• We called the animal shelter after saving cat. Hopefully it's in good hands.Wanted to come out and have a good first season. Team has really come together and grown each week.
  
  
• Winning Heisman is something that you dream about as a kid. It's the most prestigious award in FB. Would be dream come true.
  
  
• We kept gameplan the same for 'Bama. Wanted to push tempo and play as fast as possible. Had advantage there.
  
  
• Extremely blessed to come to Texas A&M and play with this group of guys. We all love football...game and lucky to play.
  
  
• At Tivy, ran similar offense. When Sumlin got here, easier transition because we ran same stuff in HS. Coaches were great.
  
  
• Mobility has helped make the offense a bit more diverse than it was at UH. Not sure if anyone can do what Case Keenum did.
  
  
• Never offered by TCU and Gary Patterson.
  
  
• Never envisioned that we would win 10 games and have this kind of success as a team. Kept progressing each week.
  
  
• Nothing I've been dying to say this year. Respect Coach Sumlin's policy. He knows what's best for me and the whole team.
  
  
• Nice to being able to talk to the media and let you see how I am.
  
  
• Have one of the best OLs in the country. Privileged to have those guys blocking for me every week. They adapted during year.
  
  
• Looked up to Michael Vick as a kid on video games. On personal level, John Elway and Doug Flutie are big influences.
  
  
• One of my favorite plays all year was last TD vs. Alabama. Malcome Kennedy runs great route and makes great catch for win.
  
  
• Injury vs. Mizzou was a little tweak and kind of scared me. Knee brace helped and was able to come out and get win.
  
  
• Over the past year, Coach Kingsbury and I have really grown close.
  
  
• Life is really different now (than last year). Small-town kid...don't see myself as Johnny Football. Still shocked by it.
  
  
• Didn't know what to expect in first game vs. UF. Running on adrenaline. O has made great strides and are more on same page.
  
  
• Time with George Whitfield was extremely beneficial this summer. One of best QB coaches for a reason. Try to talk to him every week.
  
  
• Had good relationship with Coach Sherman and Coach Rossley. Had they stayed, would've been a battle just like this summer.
  
  
• High school coach, Julius Scott, is a big influence and we still talk every week. Coach Mark Smith (old HC) as well.
  
  
• Coach Kingsbury and Coach Sumlin are also big influences in my life.
  
  
• Ton of excellent QBs right now in college. Guys like Boyd, Jones, Smith, Miller and the list goes on.
  
  
• Tyler is also a hometown. Have a joint hometown. Born and raised in Tyler and moved to Kerrville when I was 14 or 15.
  
  
• Crowd reaction during injury is true testament to 12th Man. Makes you want to pop up and do a couple of backflips.
  
  
• Manziel's take on why the name fits. "My name is Johnny and I've been playing football since I was six years old."
  
  
• We've had a ton of success this year and have had opportunity to win every game. Truly thankful for season...heck of a ride.
  
  
• This year has made me more aware of my surroundings. [Fame] makes you more of a homebody.
  
  
• So much going on in my life that I don't have time to read articles and hear what people say. Finals, bowl keep me busy.
  
  
• Different to walk around campus and people knowing who you are. Looks students, profs and everyone on campus. It's great.
  
  
• Dad talks to John David Crow and they have built a relationship. If dream were to come true, it would be an honor.
  
  
• Speed of game from high school to college is biggest adjustment. Studying more film and learning more helps growth process.
  
  
• Can't rank my nicknames. Hearing Rece Davis call me Scooby Doo is funny. Halloween night was just a fun getaway.
  
  
• We all wanted to go out and dress up and be kids again. Halloween night was just a chance to have fun with teammates.
  
  
• Running around in circle vs. Arkansas was a fun play. Tried to get ball to Evans. Ended up running in circle and scoring.
  
  
• Can't pick out one specific defense that has been the best this year. Each SEC D was strong and a tough challenge.
  
  
• To be mentioned in same sentence with Earl Campbell (East Texan to win Heisman) is incredible. One of best of all-time.
  
  
• If Heisman happens and if I'm blessed enough to receive it and bring it back to A&M, that will be a great feeling.
  
  
• Game has changed a little bit. Look at Robert Griffin in Washington...not just pro style anymore. Game adapts each year.
  
  
• Always wanted to strip ball back & score on the same play. La Tech play was that opportunity. Wasn't going to let him score.
  
  
• De-committing from Oregon was a hard decision. A family decision ... that was big. Being Texas kid played factor.
  
  
• Working with Coach Whitfield and Coach Kingsbury and learning more of offense will allow me to play more within system.
  
  
• Was home when heard Sam Montgomery complimenting me after Bama game. Have so much respect for the guy...has my upmost respect.
  
  
• Mariota has been lighting it up at Oregon. Got a chance to get to know in recruiting process. Visited Oregon at same time.
  
  
• Called mom, dad and sister and told them that I had been named starter. Told friends and family and they were happy for me.
  
  
• Season has been incredibly surreal and beyond my wildest imagination. Testament to how team has grown. Taken huge strides.
  
  
• Don't see myself as a celebrity. Just like any other kid that is going to A&M. School and have chance to play football.
  
  
• Whenever we got backed up to own 1 vs. Ole Miss after 6 TOs, that was a low point. But key was turn negative into positive.
  
  
• Definitely trying to bring excitement back to this football team. Sumlin brings excitement to program. Black jerseys, etc.
  
  
• Success wouldn't be possible without great guys around me. Hopefully, my emotions will help others want to come play here.
  
  
• People wanting autograph or picture was been surprising. Haven't grasped entirety of it yet.
  
  
• Try to stay away from reading too much about me, individually. Try to read about SEC and college football. Big fan of game.
  
  
• Only You Tube video I've seen was of a little girl saying that she was my #1 fan. Got to meet her and it warms heart.