Johnny Manziel shouldn’t be shunned by the NFL simply because of his past behavior. This is a huge opportunity for the NFL to be a beacon.
The NFL has hosted their NFL Honors show the night before the Super Bowl every year since 2011. They give out awards to many people in the world of football. Frankly, no other award is as important as the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is given to the NFL player that does the most community work in the NFL.
If Johnny Manziel were just merely given a shot to play in the NFL by one of their organizations, it could provide hope for those among us that need all of the hope they can get.
Let’s be honest, Manziel did a lot of things that warrant not being in the NFL, but this isn’t merely about him getting back in the NFL. It’s about just giving him the opportunity to do so. If he doesn’t warrant being on a roster, so be it.
This is bigger than Manziel or even “The Shield.” Here’s what Manziel told TJ Holmes of ABC’s Good Morning America in an interview shown Monday morning.
By no means should he be granted a roster spot immediately, nor should he be penciled in as a team’s guaranteed Week 1 starter. However, giving him a chance can show that even mental health issues don’t stop people from getting a chance to achieve their dreams.
The NFL always finds a way to champion their players who do good things in their communities, and they deserve it. Now it’s time for one NFL team to muster up the courage to go out on a limb and show even the NFL will take a chance.
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We’ve seen a lot of celebrities be the face of mental health issues, sometimes after it’s too late. Now, let’s give that segment of the population a living face to look up to. One that can shine and be a beacon of light for them.