Johnny Manziel, more ticking timebomb than quality quarterback, has finally combusted. The man dubbed 'Johnny Football' during his standout college career never really seemed ready to leave behind the wild ways of his youth and enter the ultra-professional world of the NFL. And so it proved this week, with the 22-year-old found guilty of the ultimate sin. After all, an athlete can get away with a lot in American football - assaulting his partner (hi again, Greg Hardy!), abusing his child (good to see you, Adrian Peterson!), running a sophisticated dog-fighting ring (keep getting dem cheques, Michael Vick!) - but they can't be caught holding a champagne bottle at a party. Now, that's being a little facetious; Manziel spent two months in rehab earlier in the year and admitted he had an alcohol problem. And Johnny Football, unlike the aforementioned terrible troika, will serve no suspension for his evil, instead being dumped by Cleveland as their starting quarterback. But the video which proved Manziel's downfall was rather innocuous, showing him having a good time during his team's bye week and enjoying a sing-along while holding a bottle of Dom Perignon. All things considered, the Browns have probably made a sensible decision that will hopefully have a lasting impact on a talented but troubled young man. Unfortunately for the lowly Cleveland, their unappealing alternatives at quarterback often appear as if they've downed a bottle of Dom before taking the field.
Skins
Referees are regularly accused of bias - to certain team, player or even an entire city. This week, though, must have featured the first instance of an official purportedly showing prejudice towards a nickname. But I guess that's what happens when a team slanders an entire culture, as the Washington Redskins do every day of their existence. Despite a clamour of controversy and multiple lawsuits filed by Native American groups in recent years, the 'Skins and their despicable owner Dan Snyder have refused to budge on the racial slur the team adopted in 1933. If popular opinion isn't enough to change Snyder's mind, maybe a crazy conspiracy theory will? That arrived this week courtesy of defensive end Jason Hatcher, who was searching for reasons why Washington were thumped 44-16 by Carolina. Was it the fact the Panthers are one of the best teams in the NFL and still unbeaten? Or the superb play (and dancing) of quarterback Cam Newton? Nah, must be the name. "I don't know if it's about the name or what," Hatcher said. "At the end of the day, that's the name. Don't worry about the name - we're players and we work our butts off, too. I'm just frustrated with it. We shouldn't have to be punished for that. It's been every game, calls after calls that should've been made in our favour, but it goes to them. It's just not right." You know what else isn't right? Naming a sporting organisation after the practice of scalping Native Americans.
Lopez vs furry friends
This week from the 'Only in America' file comes the curious case of Robin Lopez and his long-running feud with NBA mascots. The New York Knicks' big man has bounced around the league for eight seasons, playing for four teams and making much of his mark through an eccentric streak that includes regular fights against his furry friends. And the enmity between the warring parties appears mutual. Playing in Houston on Monday, Lopez made the mistake of turning his back on Clutch the Bear, the Rockets mascot, who sprayed the centre with a fire extinguisher and engulfed him in a cloud of white powder.
