Johnny Manziel & A.J. McCarron Bury the Hatchet On Their Iconic SEC Rivalry

AJ McCarron sits down with Johnny Manziel on Glory Daze for a conversation that takes you right back to the heart of the SEC. These two quarterbacks defined a moment in college football when Alabama and Texas A&M collided on the national stage. Johnny talks about the legendary upset in Tuscaloosa, when the Aggies stunned the Crimson Tide and sent shockwaves through college football. AJ shares what it was like being on the other sideline during that game, carrying the weight of Alabama’s dynasty, and how Nick Saban became obsessed with finding ways to stop Johnny Football.

The rivalry between the two schools comes to life in this episode, with AJ offering insight into the pressure of playing for Saban and leading a program where every Saturday felt like a national championship. Johnny opens up about how his style of play changed the way defenses prepared, and how Alabama was the ultimate test for his game. Together, they relive the intensity of those matchups that made SEC football must-watch every week.

Beyond the college days, AJ looks back on his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals—what he learned, the highs and lows of his time in the league, and how those experiences shaped him as a competitor. The episode also delivers one of the wildest untold stories in SEC lore: how both Johnny and AJ ended up getting kicked out of the Manning Passing Academy. It’s a behind-the-scenes moment only these two could tell, and one that sheds light on the chaos and fun of being young quarterbacks with the spotlight on them.

This episode blends unforgettable college football history, behind-the-scenes NFL perspective, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else from two quarterbacks who defined an era in the SEC.

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