Johnny Manziel Apologizes for Not Living Up to Skip Bayless’s Bold LeBron Take

This take outlived Johnny Football’s career on the gridiron.

Even in a career full of colorful opinions, Fox commentator Skip Bayless’s take on former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel stands out.

The year was 2014. Pharrell Williams’s “Happy” was number one on the charts and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was number one at the box office. And Bayless was vowing that the recently drafted Manziel would be bigger than then-Miami Heat forward LeBron James was in Cleveland.

Bayless whiffed on both takes. Manziel flamed out spectacularly with the Browns, and James returned and led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title. On Wednesday, Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe asked Manziel about Bayless’s infamous prediction.

“Skip. I love you, bro,” Manziel said on the Club Shay Shay podcast. “I hope you know that it was always love. And I honestly feel like I let him down, right?”

Shannon Sharpe: "People saying, 'Johnny Manziel will be bigger than LeBron James in Cleveland.'"

Johnny Manziel: "I think that person is Skip Bayless." ????

(via @ClubShayShay)pic.twitter.com/syrePo8mJ6

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 21, 2024

Manziel—the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M—lasted just 14 games over two years with Cleveland.

“I remember watching First Take religiously and being able to see him come on there and ride for me when everything was going on,” Manziel said. “I remember seeing the passion in his voice and the way he was animated when he would talk about me.”