Johnny Manziel is not only a hot topic amongst college football, but NFL players are also weighing in on the Heisman Trophy winner who is currently undergoing an NCAA investigation for accepting illegal benefits. Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant was the first to speak up, saying Manziel deserves to make money off his name and now another former NCAA star is supporting the quarterback. Running back Adrian Peterson prefers the pay-for-play situation as well.
Paying college athlete is a timeless discussion that can go on and on and in a million circles. While no clear format of making that work has been discovered, professional athletes continue to support the idea. In an interview with FoxSports.com, Peterson he fully believes Manziel should get paid since Texas A&M already is.
"The universities are making a lot of money off of student-athletes in general. So, yeah, he should be able to make money. I think so. They make millions off of these college athletes and they made millions off of the guys I played with as well. Yeah, he should be getting paid," Peterson said.
Manziel is one of the hottest names in all of sports right now. He is currently under the NCAA microscope after being caught on tape doing autograph sessions for brokers and then accepting money for it. The signed items were later sold. Per NCAA rule, Manziel could be ineligible to play for the entire year if he is found guilty. Peterson has no problem with Manziel making money off his name.
"I think if you are in a position to where people want to pay you for your autographs or signatures, then you should be able to do that," Peterson told FOXSports.com. "He's a young man and he should be able to sign his name on a helmet or wherever without it being an issue."
The Texas A&M University System chancellor John Sharp recently supported the idea that Manziel earns money. He believes that all college athletes should receiver some sort of cash for playing.
"I also think that there's something, you know this is just me talking not as chancellor of the system, something is wrong with the system when we can make money off of our football players, the NCAA make money off of our football players and they can't be treated like Olympic athletes," Sharp said in an interview with NBC.
The argument for paying college athletes will continue to be brought up time and time again, especially when cases like Manziel's arise. So far, Texas A&M is practicing as if Manziel will be available to entire season. They will address matters only if he is suspended.
