CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Heisman-winning former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was a no-show at a Thursday night charity event supporting the historic Ritz Theatre.
The event -- which was scheduled to run from 6-9 p.m. at Downtown bar BUS -- wrapped up a short time ago with a full house leaving disappointed in the former Aggies star, but not shocked.
"I don't think anyone who has followed Johnny Manziel is that surprised about it," said one attendee. "But, uh, I'm disappointed because a lot of people put in a lot of hard work and I know people were really looking forward to seeing him."
Despite Manziel's no-show, community members still showed up and showed out, raising much-needed funds for the Ritz.
"But really about raising the funds. to be able to really reopen the Ritz Theatre so we need the funds. It's a huge project we're not naive to the fact that it is so we need the funds so were asking for the community to come together and raise the funds," said Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios, executive director of the CC Patch.
Manziel was invited to speak in honor of the theater's restoration project, which aims to repair the iconic venue built in 1929 which has fallen into severe disrepair.
Typically for major charity events such as these, guest speakers command a hefty fee.
It is unclear how much Manziel was paid to show up, if he was paid.
Those who purchased tables for the event, however, paid thousands of dollars.
The college football star, known as "Johnny Football" during his playing days, was recruited out of Kerrville Tivy High School near San Antonio and was given a scholarship to play for the Aggies.
He started as a redshirt freshman, filling the vacancy left by Ryan Tannehill, who left to pursue an NFL career.
He made a name for himself after leading the Aggies past No. 1 Alabama in 2012, and became the the first freshman in NCAA history to pass for 3000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
He finished the season as the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy for outstanding overall college player, and also collected the SEC Freshman of the Year Award and the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the NCAA's best quarterback every year.
Marred by accusations of NCAA rules violations in 2013, he declared his eligibility for the NFL Draft in 2014 and was taken 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns. He played in Cleveland for two seasons.
Digital director Ana Tamez contributed to this developing story. 3NEWS will have updates as they become available.
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