Johnny Manziel

Heisman Trophy Acceptance Address

delivered 8 December 2012

 

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio]

Alright, this is a -- this is a moment that I've dreamed about since...I've been a kid, running around the backyard pretending I was Doug Flutie, throwing "hail marys" to my dad. Now I'm so blessed to be on the stage with such a group of great guys and to be -- to be invited into this fraternity. What a pleasure it really is. 

I'd like to start by thanking the Heisman Trust and everybody who made this weekend possible. What a great experience it was to -- to meet the people I have, Manti and Collin, not only great football players but great guys off the field as well. It's been a pleasure to get to know you guys better and I wish you all the best of luck.

It's such an honor to represent Texas A&M and -- and my teammates here tonight. I wish they could be on this stage with me. Texas A&M -- choosing that school was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my entire life, and I'm so proud to be a part of that.

To Mom, Dad, Mary, and the entire family watching: You mean the world to me and I just want to thank you for the encouragement, the love, and the patience over the years.

Grandpa: All the times we used to play in the hallway and throw the ball till we couldn't anymore -- I love you with all my heart, and you've inspired me to play football.

And to Grandma, I'm so sorry for all the things that we broke in the house.

To my coaches back at Kerrville Tivy -- Mark Smith, Julius Scott and everybody there: You taught us all what it meant to really fight and work for something that you wanted more than anything in the world. You taught us about passion and about heart and what it truly meant to say, "Tivy fight never dies."

To Coach Sherman, Coach Rossley, Coach Sumlin, Coach Kingsbury, and everybody that's been a part of my coaching -- a part of me playing football for my entire life: You've been -- You've been truly a blessing. You've taught -- taught me not only what it is to be a football player but to be a man as well. For that, I thank you so much.

I wish my whole team could be up with me here tonight, especially my -- my great offensive line and -- and the whole offense: Luke Joeckel, Jarvis Harrison, Cedric Ogbuehi, Shane Matthews, and Patrick Lewis. I'm as safe standing right here as I am in the pocket with you guys. You've done a great job of keeping them off my back and I can't thank you enough for everything. To all my teammates back home, I love you with all my heart.

I'd especially at this time like to honor somebody who is near and dear to everybody at Texas A&M in Joey Villavisencio. Around this time last year, a center on our team passed away in a tragic car accident. It was something that -- that as a whole team that we really had to fight through and press on through the bowl game.

And to Mr. and Mrs. Villavisencio: If I had a son I would want him to be exactly like him. Well, I know Joey's in a better place.   

And most of all I want to thank God for allowing me to be here. All that he's blessed me with in my entire life, I'm so thankful for. For the love and the grace that you've shown me, I'll be forever grateful.

And in the values that I've learned from my parents, and that have been carried over by Texas A&M: leadership, respect, and putting others first -- it's what the "12th man" is all about. I believe one -- the 12th man is one of the greatest traditions in all of college football. 40,000 students standing not as fans but as members of our team.

To the 12th Man, to Texas A&M, Kerrville, Texas, and Aggies everywhere: This Heisman Trophy is for you.

Gig 'em.


Also in this database: Robert Griffin III - Heisman Trophy Acceptance Speech

Page Updated: 12/5/17

U.S Copyright Status: Text = Uncertain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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American Rhetoric.
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