NEW YORK -- As Johnny Manziel explained why he identifies well with Cleveland Browns fans, a handful of the team's fans made sure he knew the feeling was mutual Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. Loud chants of "Johnny Cleveland!" interrupted Manziel's news conference, noisy enough that some security personnel scurried to re-establish quiet so the Browns' new quarterback's answers could be heard.
But not before Manziel acknowledged the love.
"It's pretty cool," he said. "I'm ready to get to Cleveland right now."
Yes, Johnny Football is a Brown, and he said the club's rabid and loyal fan base is something he can immediately embrace.
"It's a great story. It's great for me to end up there on a team that has fans that are as passionate as I am on the field. I play with a lot of heart, and those guys are very passionate about a team that hasn't had an incredible amount of success. And they still are very loyal, very die-hard," Manziel said. "For me, that means a lot."
The Browns chose Manziel with the No. 22 overall pick, trading up to make the acquisition in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Ray Farmer placed the call to Manziel to let him know his lengthy wait had come to an end. A bit earlier, rumors that the Dallas Cowboys might make Manziel their first-round pick came to an end when the club selected Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin.
Given his already explosive popularity in the state of Texas, Manziel didn't so much mind getting passed with that particular pick.
"I don't know if the world could've handled that, honestly," he said with a smile.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
