Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart had the room roaring with laughter at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic when he took a hilarious shot at former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.
During his presentation, Smart displayed photos of Manziel, Joe Burrow, Bryce Young, and Cam Newton, then posed a question to the audience:
“What do all four of these guys have in common?”
The crowd quickly responded with guesses like “Heisman” and “quarterback.” Smart nodded in agreement, confirming that each player had won the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
But when someone suggested “champions,” Smart couldn’t resist delivering a punchline at Manziel’s expense.
“Champions? He ain’t no champion. Champion of what? Champion of Fireball,” Smart said, referencing Manziel’s well-documented partying reputation.
Smart then redirected the discussion, acknowledging the talent of all four quarterbacks:
“Alright, alright, alright, alright, I’m gonna go here for you. There’s Heisman. Right? They all had great days vs. our defenses. All four of them went off on us in some way, shape or form,” he said.
Smart had a front-row seat to Manziel’s legendary college career, serving as Alabama’s defensive coordinator in 2012 when the Aggies stunned the Crimson Tide 29-24.
That season, Manziel became the first freshman in history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Unfortunately, his success didn’t translate to the NFL. Drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Manziel’s professional career was derailed by off-the-field struggles, including partying and substance abuse.
Johnny Football lasted just two seasons before being released, bringing his NFL tenure to an abrupt end.
While Smart’s joke landed well in the moment, Manziel’s story remains a cautionary tale – one that aspiring athletes would be wise to remember.
Having said that, there’s no denying that Manziel is one of the greatest college football players in recent memory.
What are your thoughts on Smart’s shot at Johnny Football???
