Winning the Heisman trophy in December was the perfect ending to Johnny Manziel's 2012 campaign — one of the most impressive freshman seasons in college football history.
Yet it was just the beginning to one of the most memorable, tumultuous offseasons ever.
As Johnny Manziel's future college eligibility remains in question in the aftermath of a report that the Texas A&M quarterback accepted money for signing memorabilia, USA TODAY Sports backtracks through the defending Heisman winner's wild offseason.
January: Following A&M's Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma, he visited the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma for some late-night gambling. He tweeted a photo, which went viral on the web, with friends flashing money. In response to backlash from the photo, Manziel tweeted, "Nothing illegal about being 18+ in a casino and winning money...KEEP HATING!" The night after winning big, he was spotted by TMZ popping bottles of champagne in a Dallas-area club.
— Sat courtside at a Jan. 15 Los Angeles Clippers-Houston Rockets game and met Chris Paul. At the end of the month, Manziel collaborated with trick-shot specialist group, "Dude Perfect" to create a video.
February: Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans and posed for a pictures with Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and Hollywood celebrities Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.
March: Shoved a graduate assistant in frustration after throwing an interception during a spring football scrimmage.
— Attended a Drake concert in Toronto, at one point calling it the "highlight" of his offseason.
— Was photographed with a fake tattoo of Texas A&M's archrival Texas Longhorns on a spring break trip to Cabo San Lucas.
— During March Madness, tweeted support to fellow NCAA athlete Marshall Henderson of Ole Miss.
April: Threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game and met Nolan Ryan and Mike Trout.
— During a visit back home in Kerrville, attended a charity event and was photographed in a car with a marijuana cigarette, later revealed to be a photoshopped image.
— Took in a New York Yankees game and UFC 59 on the same day.
May: Re-enacted the scramble, fumble and touchdown pass from A&M's 2012 upset win against Alabama while throwing out the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game.
— Trained with quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr.
— Shot a 79 in a round of golf with his parents at Pebble Beach.
June: Tweeted and subsequently deleted, "(Expletive) like tonight is a reason why I can't wait to leave College Station...whenever it may be." Followed that up by tweeting, "Don't ever forget that I love A&M with all my heart, but please, please walk a day in my shoes." It was later revealed that the anger stemmed from a parking ticket.
— Was featured in the video for country artist Granger Smith's song "Silverado Bench Seat".
July: Left the Manning Passing Academy after missing meetings.Johnny Manziel's apologized at SEC Media Days, saying: "I simply overslept. There's nothing more to talk, and the rumors about the other things weren't really true." Peyton Manning later defended Manziel, saying he wanted him back next year.
— Flew to Los Angeles from SEC Media Days for the ESPYs, where he took home an award for Best Male College Athlete.
— Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor stemming from a 2012 bar fight in College Station. Manziel admitted to failure to identify. Other charges against him, including disorderly conduct, were dismissed.
— Was photographed attending parties at University of Texas fraternities.
Johnny Manziel's parents expressed their worry for their son in an ESPN story. It is revealed that Manziel underwent alcohol counseling and therapy for anger issues.
August: The day before Texas A&M's first practice, ESPN's Outside The Linesreported that Johnny Manziel's agreed to sign memorabilia in exchange for a "five-figure flat fee" during a trip to the site of the BCS National Championship.
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