HE WAS NOT DRUNK AFTER ALL

Real reason behind Johnny Manziel's mysterious College GameDay no-show is revealed

 

By Isabel Baldwin and Oliver Salt 

 

Daily Mail

Dec 21, 2025

 

 

Johnny Manziel was quietly replaced as guest picker on ESPN's College GameDay from Texas

 

The real reason behind Johnny Manziel's mysterious College GameDay no-show has been revealed after he was quietly replaced as guest picker on the ESPN program. 

Earlier in the week it was announced that the former quarterback would be appearing on the show as the guest picker back at his alma mater, Texas A&M, ahead of their playoff game against the Miami Hurricanes in College Station on Saturday. 

Yet moments before he was scheduled to appear, College GameDay host Rece Davis mysteriously revealed that former Texas A&M basketball player and two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso would be stepping in instead. 

Fans were left confounded at the former Heisman Trophy winner's absence, given he had been in attendance at Kaseya Center in Miami for Jake Paul's controversial boxing showdown with Anthony Joshua just the night prior. 

However, The Daily Mail can now reveal that Manziel was struck down by a sudden illness just hours before College GameDay aired. 

The Aggies icon was in fact 'medically unable to travel due to illness' from Miami to Texas, a representative for Manziel confirmed to The Daily Mail. 

 

The Heisman Trophy winner was at the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight on Friday night 

 

Manziel became 'acutely ill' late on Friday night after contracting norovirus while spending time with family earlier in the week. 

'While en route to the airport, his condition worsened, and following medical advice, he and his team made the decision to turn back,' a spokesperson for Manziel said. 

The legendary Texas A&M star remained in Miami where he is receiving treatment and recovering from the illness. 

'His team worked to connect ESPN and Bleacher Report with Alex to ensure a smooth transition on the show, and he appreciates everyone’s understanding under the circumstances,' his representative added.  

ESPN declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Mail on Saturday. 

Manziel took to his Instagram story on Sunday morning to apologize to the frustrated and disappointed Aggies fanbase. 

'I will have plenty more to say about what transpired yesterday,' he wrote. 'There is almost nothing on this earth that would have made me miss that game. To all the people that genuinely reached out and checked in on me I cannot thank you enough. 

'To ESPN, Pat, Coach, Desmond, and the entire crew on gameday I apologize it was out of my control. To the Aggies and A&M fan base I'm sorry. 

 

Manziel was quietly replaced by former Texas A&M basketball player Alex Caruso on the show

ESPN star and College GameDay panelist Pat McAfee is pictured during Saturday's show 

 

'I will continue to let everyone out there run with a fake narrative and at the end of the day perception always wins over reality. I love all of you who genuinely support me through good and bad like you've all done for years.

'I have no doubt Texas A&M and the Aggie football program will be in that position again. I'm recovering and feeling about a 3/10 going to rest up and try to get back to normal.'  

Even in perfect health, Manziel would have faced a quick turnaround to jet from South Florida to the Lone Star State. 

The blockbuster bout, which was won by Joshua by knockout after six rounds, ended at around midnight ET, leaving him little time to get from Miami to College Station for College GameDay, which began at 9am.

Bleacher Report had also announced that Manziel would be featuring on their pregame show from Kyle Field at 10am, which he also did not show up for despite sharing a post from the outlet on Instagram promoting his appearance.

The 33-year-old, who previously served as guest picker on College GameDay before Texas A&M’s season opener against Notre Dame in August 2024, was seen wearing a huge sparkling October's Very Own chain in the crowd at the Paul vs Joshua fight.

Before heading to Kaseya Center, he also shared a photo on Instagram of a vodka bottle on a table in what appeared to be a hotel room.

 

Manziel was one of the hottest college prospects of all-time when he left Texas A&M

 

Manziel was one of the hottest college prospects of all-time when he left Texas A&M and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, but his time with the franchise was overshadowed by a series of off-field controversies.

He was released at the end of 2016 in the wake of domestic violence incidents, alcohol-fueled all-nighters and lying to the team over bye-week parties.

In August 2023, Manziel also spoke out on a suicide attempt as part of a Netflix series about his life.

He is now a business owner and a podcast host, and regularly tells stories of his bad boy past now that he has cleaned up his act.