Update: Manziel’s father calls it a case of “dehydration.” The quarterback will still appear at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
Johnny Manziel leaves Manning Passing Academy early, Peyton Manning confirms
The reigning Heisman winner left the Manning Passing Academy on Saturday. Rumors surfaced earlier in the weekend as to just why he had left.
Ronald Martinez
Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel left the 2013 Manning Passing Academy Saturday after missing meetings and practices because of illness, according to an ESPN report. There were rumors about Manziel being dismissed for other reasons, but camp officials said that was not the case.
The camp released a statement that said Manziel had met some of his obligations but was missing or late at others because he was feeling ill. The statement said that camp organizers and Manziel agreed it was “in everyone’s best interest” for the quarterback to go home with a day left on the schedule.
The statement read:
“Johnny Manziel did participate in some activities in the 2013 Manning Passing Academy as a college counselor/coach. After missing and being late for practice assignments, Johnny explained that he had been feeling ill. Consequently, we agreed that it was in everyone’s best interest for him to go home a day early.”
Peyton Manning downplayed Manziel’s departure to Mortensen:
“I enjoyed meeting Johnny. I can remember a 20-year-old Eli [Manning] missing a meeting and catching some flak. We always have counselors who leave early. Johnny was great with the campers for the time he was here. He had to leave early. I wish him the best and I want him to come back as a counselor next year.”
Rumors of Manziel’s dismissal having something to do with partying surfaced Saturday night, when Manziel failed to appear for an “Air it Out” competition that featured the college quarterback counselors. CBS Sports’ Patrick Netherton called the rumors “likely” true, later clarifying the “likely.” A spokesman for the camp then claimed that Manziel did not participate on Saturday due to illness, but as Deadspin points out, Manziel recovered from his sickness quickly enough to make an appearance in College Station’s bar district Saturday night.
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