Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has insisted that he doesn't want to see Johnny Manziel suspended by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), despite having been banned by the organisation himself.
Manziel is currently under investigation over claims that he violated NCAA rules by being paid to sign autographs, which could lead to him being banned for the 2013 season.
Bryant went through a similar experience when he was suspended for the final 10 games of his college career having failed to fully disclose details of a meeting with former NFL player Deion Sanders. While he admitted that he would be angry if Manziel were treated differently, he doesn't want to see the quarterback banned.
"Hell, yeah, I'll be mad. I'll be mad, but I don't want him to get suspended. I would be mad more at the NCAA for how they do things. I just feel like it's not fair. This is something I have no problem talking about because I feel like somebody needs to say something to them and let it be known how they treat people is not right," Bryant told ESPN.
"I don't think my situation was as [bad] as his. Johnny Manziel is a great football player. I really hope him the best. I hope he doesn't get suspended. I pray that he don't get suspended, because I love watching him. But as far as the NCAA, I just think they do a lot of stuff unfair.
"All I did was lie about going over to somebody's house and I got my season taken away from me. Still to this day, I think about it. It bothers me. I can't get it back. No matter how much money I make in this league, that really meant something to me. I just think the NCAA, they don't do a good enough job. I just honestly feel like it's about money and TV ratings."
Johnny Manziel is regarded as one of the hottest young prospects in football having become the first freshman to win the Heisman trophy last season.
Barney Corkhill
