Johnny Manziel Misses College GameDay Appearance at Texas A&M, Responds to Fan Backlash
Texas A&M rolled out the red carpet for a marquee moment - a College Football Playoff showdown against Miami in College Station. It was supposed to be a celebration of Aggie pride, past and present. And front and center was expected to be Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most electrifying players to ever wear maroon and white.
But when ESPN’s College GameDay went live, Manziel was a no-show. Instead, former Texas A&M basketball standout and current Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso filled in as the celebrity guest picker. The sudden switch left fans confused, disappointed, and, in some cases, angry.
Where Was Johnny?
The last public sighting of Manziel came the night before - not in Texas, but in Miami, where he attended the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight.
That timing raised eyebrows. With the Aggies playing the biggest game of their season and Manziel expected to represent the program on national television, fans were quick to assume the worst: that he had bailed on his alma mater after a late night out.
The backlash came swiftly. Manziel shared several direct messages from fans on his Instagram story, and they didn’t hold back.
One message called him a “clown” and accused him of embarrassing the entire fan base. Another fan blamed him for the Aggies’ loss, saying, “This is your fault.
How the f-k can you not make it to A&M for a f-king playoff game?” A third message went even further, urging Manziel to disassociate from the university entirely, calling him a “disgrace” to the school’s values.
Manziel Responds
In the face of mounting criticism, Manziel issued a brief but pointed statement through his Instagram story.
“I will have plenty more to say about what transpired yesterday,” he wrote. “There is almost nothing on this earth that would have made me miss that game. To all the people that genuinely reached out and checked in on me, I cannot thank you enough.”
While he didn’t offer a full explanation for his absence, the message hinted at something more personal or serious behind the scenes. Still, for many fans, the damage was already done.
A&M Falls Short
As if the drama off the field wasn’t enough, the Aggies’ on-field performance added another layer of heartbreak. In a defensive slugfest, Texas A&M fell to Miami 10-3, the game ending on a last-second interception thrown by quarterback Marcel Reed. The loss knocked A&M out of the College Football Playoff and sent the Hurricanes on to face Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
What’s Next?
For Manziel, this episode adds another chapter to a post-college career that’s been anything but quiet. From NFL stints to off-field headlines, his name still draws attention - for better or worse. Whether he chooses to elaborate on what kept him from showing up in College Station remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: For a fan base that still holds “Johnny Football” in legendary status, this missed appearance - especially on such a big stage - hit hard. The Aggies were hoping for a moment of unity and pride. Instead, they got questions, controversy, and a tough loss to swallow.
Now, the spotlight turns to Miami and Ohio State. But in College Station, the conversation is still very much about the man who wasn’t there.