Georgia’s two-time national championship head coach, Kirby Smart, certainly knows what it takes to be a champion. However, given his remarks about former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, he also appears well aware of who isn’t.
Kirby Smart Mocks Johnny Manziel
At the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, Smart asked the room what Joe Burrow, Manziel, Cam Newton, and Bryce Young had in common. People began shouting out “quarterbacks” and “Heisman winners,” followed by one person stating that they were all champions.
Kirby briefly paused and said: “Champion? He ain’t no Champion. Champion of what? Fireball?
NEW: Kirby Smart jabbed Johnny Manziel while speaking at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic💀
“He ain’t no champion. Champion of what? Champion of fireball!”
(via @JamesALight) https://t.co/GtvRhWtkI9 pic.twitter.com/lp2WC5258c
— On3 (@On3sports) February 24, 2025
Smart’s comment was rather funny as the room erupted with laughter, but he is, in fact, right about Manziel.
Don’t get me wrong, Manziel was dangerous for Texas A&M, winning the Heisman Trophy while accounting for 7,820 passing yards, 2,169 rushing yards, 96 total touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in his two years starting in College Station. However, Manziel never led the Aggies to a championship appearance.
While it would appear that Smart isn’t the biggest fan of Manziel or his mentality as a player, he did commend Manziel after his remarks saying that not only are all four of those QBs Heisman winners, but they all gave Georgia major defensive issues.
Manziel gave Smart issues back in 2012 when he was the defensive coordinator of the Alabama Crimson Tide. He handed the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season, beating them 29-24. Manziel had 253 yards, two touchdowns through the air, and 92 more yards on the ground.
KEEP READING: Johnny Manziel Hilariously Recounts Pre-Draft Interview With Bill O’Brien
So, while Smart may have thrown a jab, he still commends the achievements outside of being a national champion.
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