National Football League
Manziel knows scrutiny comes with winning Heisman
National Football League

Manziel knows scrutiny comes with winning Heisman

Published Oct. 3, 2014 2:23 p.m. ET

BEREA, Ohio (AP) For the winner of the Heisman Trophy, there's adulation, celebrity and a permanent place in college football history.

And along with the award comes a burden of responsibility. Johnny Manziel has felt that weight.

''It's heavier than the trophy itself,'' Manziel said Friday.

Cleveland's backup quarterback, who became the first freshman in history to win the Heisman at Texas A&M in 2012, spent part of his bye week back on campus. Manziel watched the Aggies beat Arkansas in overtime, received a ring during a halftime ceremony and got to be around close friends and family.

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''I think it's fair for me to say that I miss college life,'' Manziel said. ''But this is the decision that I made.''

After the Browns wrapped up their week of practice in preparation for Sunday's game at Tennessee, Manziel discussed his time in school and how winning the Heisman changed people around him.

Manziel, better than anyone, can understand the pressure Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is under this season after winning the Heisman in 2013. Manziel, too, can appreciate what it's like to be thrust into the spotlight and have your every move and comment dissected.

Winston was recently suspended one game for making an obscene public comment on campus. Manziel hasn't spoken to Winston since seeing him at the EPSYs in Los Angeles this summer, but the Browns' No. 2 quarterback intends to reach out to him soon.

''Jameis is a guy that I've had a good relationship with and I want to help in as many ways as I can - or if anything I can say or I've been through can help him than I would love to do that,'' Manziel said, adding Winston should concentrate on leading his too-ranked team ''really I think everything else will be OK.''

''He's continuing to grow up. He's a young guy, too, but I really I think he'll figure it out as he continues to go on.''

Manziel's life changed overnight after he won the Heisman, more than he could have ever imagined. While some of his actions haven't always shown it, he says the award made him grow up and be more accountable.

''I think there is a lot of responsibility, a lot of scrutiny has come with it now over the past two years as well,'' he said. ''It's a lot of weight to have on your shoulders, but it's part of what comes with winning that trophy - for sure.''

The Heisman taught him valuable life lessons.

''You learn about how close you are with a lot of people around you,'' he said. ''I learned how close I was to my family and with my friends, and who really were my friends and who was just hanging around because it was fun to hang around.''

Manziel has his Heisman with him in Cleveland. It's prominently displayed in his downtown apartment, a source of daily motivation.

''It's a great feeling waking up and walking out the door and seeing that and starting off a day thinking of some many memories and so much fun I've had over the past couple years of my life,'' he said. ''It was a big influence on why I'm here sitting in this locker room today.''

NOTES: Browns RB Ben Tate made it through a full week of practice after missing two games with a sprained right knee. The team listed him as ''probable'' for Sunday's game, but Tate downgraded himself to ''questionable.'' ''I'll have to see how it feels tomorrow,'' he said. ''Tomorrow's going to be the test to see if it swells up or if anything like that happens.'' ... DE Demond Bryant (glute) is questionable.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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