Joe Flacco on Johnny Manziel: 'He's quickly becoming my favorite college football player'

Joe Flacco called Johnny Manziel his favorite college football player. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Texas A&M sophomore quarterback Johnny Manziel has collected his fair share of detractors following controversial off-field autograph sessions and on-field taunts. Amidst all the criticism, a Super Bowl champion quarterback is supporting Manziel despite the general animosity towards him.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said Manziel is quickly becoming his favorite college football player because of all the hate Manziel has been garnering of late.  Flacco brought Manziel's name up while fielding questions about the negative reception Denver Broncos' fans have had over Flacco's poster on the side of Sports Authority Field at Mile High promoting the NFL's season opener.

Flacco went on to say that "being hated" is not necessarily a bad thing while saying his opinion on Manziel would not make Flacco "too popular."

After being suspended for the first half of Texas A&M's game against Rice, Manziel completed six passes for 94 yards with 19 rushing yards. Manziel's tauning of Rice players earned him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game.

Flacco's comments on Manziel via the Carroll County Times:

“I don’t know if I’ll be too popular for this,” Flacco added. “But I don’t know how I really felt about Johnny Manziel, but I feel like now everyone hates him. He’s quickly becoming my favorite player in college football.”

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