Johnny Manziel's football fate rests in the hands of the NCAA now. After ESPN reported the quarterback had accepted benefits from brokers in exchange for autographed memorabilia, the NCAA launched a full investigation into the report. If found guilty, the Texas A&M quarterback could not be eligible to play the entire season.
ESPN is now reporting that Manziel met with NCAA investigators on Sunday to answer questions regarding the autograph controversy. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner met with officials for almost six hours at College Station and denied any wrong doing according to CBS Sports Bruce Feldman. This was the first meeting between the two parties about the issue. It is unclear whether or not the NCAA will seek out a second meeting before Texas A&M begins their season on Saturday with a home game against Rice.
At this time, Texas A&M is staying mum on the entire ordeal. Manziel has been practicing like normal in preparation for the season. If the school was to play the quarterback and he was found guilty at some point, Texas A&M would be forced to forfeit the wins of the games he played in. If they sit him until an official ruling is announced, they could keep whatever games they win without him.
Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman released a statement saying the entire school was no longer going to comment on the investigation until a final ruling was announced.
"The focus of our coaches and student-athletes is solely on preparing for Rice this Saturday, and in the best interests of Texas A&M and the 100-plus student-athletes on the team, I have instructed Coach Sumlin, his staff and our student-athletes to refrain from commenting on or answering questions regarding the status of our starting quarterback, Johnny Manziel," the statement read.
Manziel has not spoken to the media since SEC Media Days right before the report was aired by ESPN. The quarterback's family has hired an attorney who told USA TODAY Sports that Manziel will likely be starting the starting quarterback against Rice on Saturday.
Earlier last week, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp ripped ESPN for their reporting on the entire scandal. In a released statement he questioned the original reporting done by ESPN's Outside the Lines. He maintained that Manziel was innocent and would play the entire season. ESPN has stood by their reporting. The biggest question remains of whether or not Manziel will play Week 3 of the season against Alabama.
