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Kirby Smart totally dunks on Johnny Manziel at Nike Coach of the Year Clinic

Kirby Smart took a serious shot at the former Heisman Trophy winner.
ByEricka Brockish|
Georgia coach Kirby Smart leads his team onto the field for warm ups before the start of the NCAA Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart leads his team onto the field for warm ups before the start of the NCAA Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. | Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart knows a lot about what it takes to be a champion. Smart won back-to-back National Championships in 2021 and 2022 and has led his Georgia Bulldogs to numerous SEC championships and division championships.

While speaking at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, Smart shows the room pictures of four former SEC quarterbacks, Joe Burrow at LSU, Bryce Young at Alabama, Cam Newton at Auburn, and Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M.

When Smart asked the room what those four quarterbacks had in common, some mumbled the word "quarterback," and others noted that they were all Heisman Trophy winners, while someone said that they were all National Champions and Smart truly had a smart remark about it.

Referring to Manziel, who never did win a National Championship, Smart took a jab at the former Texas A&M quarterback.

"He ain't no champion," Smart said. "Champion of what? Champion of fireball!"

After letting the laughter out, Smart called the crowd down and went on with his presentation, saying that they were all quarterbacks who had great days against his defense.

To be fair, Smart was technically wrong about Manziel. the former Texas A&M and NFL quarterback had a reputation for partying and drinking while in college. Manziel himself has admitted to these things and has even said he wishes he had dealt with things differently at that age.

Even with the partying and drinking, though, Manziel was a great quarterback, and that is why he won a Heisman Trophy. Smart did acknowledge that by placing him in the group he did with all the quarterbacks that had great days against his defense. At the time Manziel was in college, Smart was the defensive coordinator at Alabama, and one of Manziel's most famous games was when he took down the mighty Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

It was a clever shot at Manziel, and one that a lot of people will no doubt talk about, but again, even Manziel would probably agree with the fact that he was a partier, and that is the reputation he left behind with the Aggies.

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