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LISTEN: SEC Coach Takes a Shot at Former Heisman Trophy Winner

Kirby Smart takes a jab at Johnny Manziel during a speech

Dan Zealley| February 24, 2025 (Updated: July 24, 2025)
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SEC
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By Dan Zeally


While speaking to coaches at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, Georgia Bulldog coach Kirby Smart said
that former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was “champion of Fireball,” according to On3
sports
.


https://twitter.com/On3sports/status/1894090692059939218


Coach Smart put up a picture of Bryce Young, Joe Burrow, Cam Newton, and Johnny Manziel and asked
“What do these guys have in common?” One coach said they were Heisman winners, “Heisman, that’s a
good answer. That’s actually true.”

Then one coach responded they were all champions. “Champions? He ain’t no champion. Champion of
what? Champion of fireball,” Smart jokingly responded referring to Manziel. Manziel had a reputation
for partying during his days in College Station.

The actual point Smart was trying to get to was, “They all had great days vs. our defenses. All four of
them went off on us in some way shape or form.” Newton and Manziel beat Smart-led defenses at
Alabama as defensive coordinator. Young and Borrow beat Georgia with Smart the head coach.

Manziel passed for 256 yards and two touchdown passes in an upset in Tuscaloosa. He added 92 yards
on the ground. Smart hasn’t forgotten what Manziel did that day but does get a laugh from the crowd
when Manziel is called a champion.

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Category: College FootballTag: Georgia, Johnny Manziel, Kirby Smart
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