After an eye-opening first season at Texas AM, the electrifying young quarterback affectionately known as Johnny Football became the first freshman ever to take home the Heisman Trophy in its 78-year history. Here, in perhaps the most revealing account to date, is the story behind the mystique: how young phenom Johnny Manziel escaped from relative obscurity and his dubious family name toafter a storybook, record-breaking seasontake home college footballs ultimate honor. Im a small-town kid, Manziel said before winning the Heisman. I still look at myself that way. I dont see myself as Johnny Football. I see myself as Johnathan Manziel.