In the past, Johnny Manziel’s offseason was nearly as interesting as Rob Gronkowski’s.
But while he’s no longer floating on swans and making internet headlines for his bad behavior, he’s still managing to make people smile.
Via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Manziel’s summer Saturday included winning a home run derby at Joe Haden’s celebrity softball game, and autographing a baby at a Browns fan festival.
Of course.
Manziel didn’t talk to reporters at either scene, and apparently no one heckled him to the point of bottle-throwing.
In fact, they seemed to like him, cheering his name, as he autographed items from the small child to money to footballs (whoever had Manziel sign cash deserves points for creativity). And the baby seemed happy while Manziel signed his orange onesie.
Then Manziel went out and won the home run derby, putting his former baseball skills on display by beating other NFL players such as Richard Sherman, Larry Fitzgerald and Kam Chancellor.
“Hey everybody, I want you to know my money’s on Johnny Manziel,” Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders yelled during the event.
That was the smart money Saturday in Cleveland, where there are still many hoping to see him turn his life around — and become a good NFL quarterback as well.