Manziel Won a Big Bet on Super Bowl

Manziel Won a Big Bet on Super Bowl originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Johnny Manziel once lit up college football and remains one of the most-talked-about players ever to wear a Texas A&M Aggies jersey. Known as the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, Manziel’s name has stayed in the spotlight long after his playing days in the NFL ended.

As the 2025 football season gets underway, a new story about Manziel is making headlines. This time, it is not about a comeback or controversy, but about a $50,000 gambling prize. His win came with a twist, rooted in his Aggies loyalty, a last-minute change in support during a Super Bowl and his friendship with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton.

He spoke with Texas A&M alumni Mike Evans and Von Miller on the "Glory Daze" podcast and spent a ton of time talking about his alma mater. You can see the entire show here.

How Did Manziel Win the Money?

Manziel won the prize by placing a big wager on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, a bet he only made after changing his pick from the Carolina Panthers just before kickoff. That last-minute switch the day of the Super Bowl ended up being the difference between a routine loss and a life-changing payout. He also "threw some money" on Von Miller to win the Super Bowl MVP.

The Switch from Panthers to Broncos

Johnny Manziel had strong ties to both teams in unexpected ways. He grew up rooting for the Panthers through his Texas A&M years. That A&M loyalty is said to be what drove him to switch his support to the Broncos just before the game. He surprised many by backing Denver at the last minute because of his Aggies connection. That choice stood out in the lead-up to the big game and added to the story of his loyalty.

A Look Back at Super Bowl 50

Super Bowl 50 was played on Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10. The Panthers had the best offense in the NFL that season, and Newton had been named MVP.

But the Broncos had the best defense, and that made the difference. Miller was indeed named the MVP of the game after he forced key turnovers and sacked Newton twice. In the face of that loss, Newton and his offense could not turn it around.

Johnny’s bond with Cam Newton

Even though Manziel backed the Broncos that night, he shared respect and friendship with Cam Newton. Both won the Heisman Trophy and shared experiences of big-stage pressure.

After Super Bowl 50, Miller reached out publicly to Manziel with words of support. He told Manziel to keep grinding and ended his message with "Gig ‘em," a nod to Texas A&M.

Even before the game, Miller praised Manziel as a strong friend and said he still believed he could be a great NFL quarterback.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.