Texas A&M sophomore quarterback Johnny Manziel has been all over the headlines this offseason. Sure, the defending Heisman Trophy winner is drawing all sorts of football-related buzz for his exciting play and ability to actually defeat the University of Alabama. But much of the press on Manziel has been directed toward his off-field adventures and mishaps.
The list of mishaps is seemingly endless, as it dates back to an arrest for disorderly conduct at a bar in June 2012. Manziel has caused a firestorm thanks to his Twitter account, which frequently displays him traveling the country and attending high profile sporting events and shows - certainly not the life of a college student. Turns out, Manziel doesn't even attend real classes at A&M. Then came the Manning Passing Academy dismissal when legendary former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning sent Manziel home supposedly for oversleeping and missing meetings. The rumors swirled that Manziel was out partying in New Orleans during the camp, though those rumors are disputed. As if Manziel just wanted to tarnish his image more, he was reportedly kicked out of a fraternity party (where he was drinking) at former rival the University of Texas. Manziel was born on Dec. 6, 1992, making him 20 years old, not the legal 21 for consumption of alcohol. Whoops.
?Enter Riley Cooper. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, who is white, reportedly uttered a racial slur at a security guard at a Kenny Chesney concert in Philadelphia on June 8. The video of the incident only surfaced recently, causing a major media backlash. Cooper “manned up,” and did not deny his actions, instead apologizing to his teammates in private and making a public apology to reporters. Cooper, who was expected to earn a starting receiver’s role with the Eagles this year, is now a major point of controversy almost overnight. He has been nearly universally panned and is supposedly dividing his teammates, who are trying to bounce back from a disappointing 4-12 season in 2012. It is too early to tell if this was an isolated incident for Cooper (he claims he had never said the word before in his life) or whether or not he will recover his image.
?Let me be clear: I do not support the use of any racial slurs by anyone, even African-Americans. They are wrong, immature, and show a lack of intelligence and respect. The fact that Cooper is white makes the situation even worse. Simply by watching the movie “42,” one can get a glimpse of just how far our society has progressed in regards to racial equality in the last 60 years. What Cooper did was unacceptable.
?However, Cooper has received universal panning for his mishap. Manziel? Not so much. Fans and media members have casually excused him and passed him off as “being young” or “just like any other college student.” When Manziel obviously has a problem with his partying and antics, however, it can become a problem when he goes to a party or drinks (illegally). So how come the same fans and media who give Manziel infinite second chances, saying “wait for the season, when he’s back on the field,” do not seem to be giving Cooper a shot at public redemption? Cooper’s only prior blemish is a misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest in 2009, and he seems like a genuinely good guy who made a mistake - albeit a big one. ? ?Manziel still has his starting quarterback role even through all the controversy. That role is a major reason why he gets so much positive attention - “what could the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy possibly do for an encore?” people wonder. Every time Manziel makes a headline, it gets buried and forgotten by an excuse or a testament to his athletic ability.
Now, why should Cooper have to live with one word that slipped from his mouth while Manziel is a multi-time offender? In fact, Cooper’s action is not a crime. Yes, he can be sued civilly for it, but he cannot be arrested solely for saying a racial slur. Manziel, on the other hand, is drinking underage, which as we all know is illegal. He has a proven temper, leading to a greater chance for failure in football and in life. It does not matter that Manziel is young. He is a legal adult and should have the general maturity to make a smart decision every once in awhile. If the average college student gets in trouble as much as Manziel, would they be set up for success after graduation? No. Yet “Johnny Football” gets a pass.
If Cooper were not an NFL player, would it truly matter to the public that he used a racial slur? Sadly, probably not. The unfortunate truth is that this word is still used by whites and blacks alike. Cooper was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was videotaped, and the video only mattered because he was an NFL player - someone in the public sphere. If the average American uses that slur, their boss and the general public will probably never see or know and life will go on. Cooper paid a fine for his actions and apologized.
Sports fans and media, Riley Cooper made a mistake. He has paid his dues and seems to have learned from them, so it is time to forgive him and move on. Johnny Manziel? He has made several mistakes. Has he truly paid his dues and learned from those mistakes? I, for one, do not think so. If fans and media insist on cutting Manziel a break, why not give one to Cooper, too? He’s only five years older than Manziel. And if Cooper’s sin is unforgivable, pause for a moment and consider the scale to which athletes are judged. It’s time for some equality.
So, which athlete has a worse rap sheet - Manziel or Cooper? You decide. Just choose wisely.