Seems like it from what I know of his story. Born into a rich family that was always able to send him to camps to improve his game. The "Johnny Football" nickname was one he earned while dominating in high school, where he was starting at a big-time school by his sophomore year. Had to redshirt (not exactly much adversity), then dominated again for two years while being able to do whatever he wanted off-the-field. So ya, this seems to be the first real adversity he's faced on the football field. Maybe he'll be an idiot still in the future. Maybe he's realized he can't just show up and perform like he could in high school and college and has his head on straight.
This kid is already rich and is already a celebrity. If he didn't care about being a better QB, he wouldn't have gone to rehab. He just turned 22 in December....give him some time....I think I (and many other ppl) would have been getting into more stupid sh!t at age 21 in his situation than he did. Again, he's 22. He has plenty of time to get his head straight. He's not a Tebow with horrid mechanics, and it always seemed like his A&M guys played hard for him and rallied around him. If he's actually dedicated to football, there's no reason why he can't easily be the equivalent of a Russell Wilson at QB.
Paragraph 1 - I still find it hard to believe in his 22 years (not exact sure on age) his failures on the field were the first sign of adversity in his life. 21 perfect years of living? I don't think you suddenly need rehab in year 22. He has just been either talented, rich, or lucky enough to have got where he is by not addressing the other things that were adverse in his life.
Paragraph 2 - I agree he suddenly cares or he wouldnt have went to rehab. But is it he cares about football, or is it he cares about something else (future monies, his image, etc.). We don't really know and probably never will.
And, yes the old "what would I have done being as rich as him and how much trouble...." The answer is this there are a million other rich and talented 21/22 year old kids out there. Some are douchers and some arent. That's life, and it doesn't mean those who are douchers should get a pass. Poor excuse IMO. Parenting is an issue with those no doubt, but there are also a ton of kids who have poor parenting and don't end up douchers.
I do agree he has time to get his head on straight, and maybe he will, but that doesnt mean hell figure it out on the football field either. There are good college players every year that live life with values and work hard who dont make it in the NFL just as there are idiots and douchers running around making millions for years and years.
But to feel bad for a kid who has taken advantage of almost everything in front of him to date, I am not sure how people can honestly do that. But to each their own. And just because this kid has a thread with some criticism doesnt mean people dont feel the same way about other atheltes who have done worse, but they arent on TV weekly/monthly or are as polarizing as JFM. The criticism is going to happen and dont feel like its unjust or needs defended. It's life, he wasnt the first and wont be the last.
