The rise of ‘Johnny Football’: A look back on Tivy alum’s ascent to the Heisman KSAT 12 Sports reminisces about the journey of Johnny Manziel, 13 years after he became the first freshman to take the trophy
SAN ANTONIO – It seems like just yesterday that Johnny Manziel was suiting up for Kerrville Tivy High School, impressing everyone who saw him play.
The nation got to see Johnny Football when he took his talent to the next level when he put on the Maroon and White for Texas A&M, becoming the first freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy.
KSAT 12 Sports took some time this week to reminisce about the journey of Johnny Football, from South Texas football legend all the way to New York’s Times Square.
Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Mary Rominger headshot
Mary Rominger is KSAT 12 Sports' first full-time female sports anchor and reporter.
She came to San Antonio from Mankato, Minn., where she worked as a weekend sports anchor at KEYC News Now. She has a journalism degree from Iowa State University and grew up in Southern California.
Mary enjoys golfing, sports and finding new spots around town.
Adam B. Higgins headshot
Spurs fans celebrate Game 4 win, honk their horns on SW Military Drive ▶ 0:21
Spurs fans celebrate Game 4 win, honk their horns on SW Military Drive
What we know about the shots fired incident outside the White House Correspondents Dinner ▶ 1:13
What we know about the shots fired incident outside the White House Correspondents Dinner
WATCH: Couple ties the knot during Fiesta Flambeau Parade in downtown San Antonio ▶ 0:56
WATCH: Couple ties the knot during Fiesta Flambeau Parade in downtown San Antonio
Adam Caskey Surprises KSAT Viewer With Fiesta Prizes ▶ 1:29
Adam Caskey Surprises KSAT Viewer With Fiesta Prizes
NTSB Takes Over North Side Explosion Investigation ▶ 0:41
NTSB Takes Over North Side Explosion Investigation
Game Changers Brings Free Cuts to Haven for Hope ▶ 0:56
Game Changers Brings Free Cuts to Haven for Hope
Pearl retail expansion draws mixed reactions as district seeks greater weekday traffic ▶ 1:35
Pearl retail expansion draws mixed reactions as district seeks greater weekday traffic
Air Force selects JBSA as potential site for nuclear microreactor ▶ 1:08
Air Force selects JBSA as potential site for nuclear microreactor
Quiet Today, Storm Chances Rise Tomorrow ▶ 1:40
Quiet Today, Storm Chances Rise Tomorrow
Spurs playoff push, Fiesta season fuel merch boom in San Antonio ▶ 1:12
Spurs playoff push, Fiesta season fuel merch boom in San Antonio
Man faces additional charge after arrest for assaulting 3-year-old girl, woman at South Side park ▶ 1:20
Man faces additional charge after arrest for assaulting 3-year-old girl, woman at South Side park
Staffer hit, killed by car outside NISD School ▶ 1:05
Staffer hit, killed by car outside NISD School
KSAT'S Myra Arthur & David Hurtado Bring The HATtitude To The Fiesta Hat Contest ▶ 1:17
KSAT'S Myra Arthur & David Hurtado Bring The HATtitude To The Fiesta Hat Contest
3 Critical, Including Child, After Two North Side Homes Explode; Federal Investigation Underway ▶ 0:57
3 Critical, Including Child, After Two North Side Homes Explode; Federal Investigation Underway
Playoffs Game 2 inside Frost Bank Center ▶ 0:45
Playoffs Game 2 inside Frost Bank Center
NIOSA Night One ▶ 0:36
NIOSA Night One
5 hospitalized, 3 in critical condition, after home explosions on North Side, SAFD says ▶ 1:07
5 hospitalized, 3 in critical condition, after home explosions on North Side, SAFD says
Drizzle Overnight; Pop-Up Storms Tomorrow ▶ 0:33
Drizzle Overnight; Pop-Up Storms Tomorrow
Visitors Weigh In: Have You Heard of Fiesta and NIOSA? ▶ 1:13
Visitors Weigh In: Have You Heard of Fiesta and NIOSA?
Do You Know the Spurs’ “Honking” Tradition? ▶ 1:09
Do You Know the Spurs’ “Honking” Tradition?
WEDNESDAY: Phyllis Ochoa describes why she wrote the now-viral song about San Antonio ▶ 0:38
WEDNESDAY: Phyllis Ochoa describes why she wrote the now-viral song about San Antonio
How to stay safe when celebrating Fiesta and Spurs playoff games ▶ 1:08
How to stay safe when celebrating Fiesta and Spurs playoff games
Multiple Bexar County roadways flooded ▶ 0:53
Multiple Bexar County roadways flooded
Flash Flood Warning in effect for Bexar County, surrounding communities until 6 p.m. Monday ▶ 0:36
Flash Flood Warning in effect for Bexar County, surrounding communities until 6 p.m. Monday
How to score free breakfast items after each Spurs win this postseason ▶ 0:25
How to score free breakfast items after each Spurs win this postseason
Previous photo Next photo