Prior to Baker Mayfield's first start as an NFL quarterback, ESPN's NFL Countdown ran a segment that featured former Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel offering advice to the 23-year old Heisman trophy winner. It was just as awkward as it sounds.
Manziel, who is now playing for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League, offered the following (H/T ESPN):
"Dear Baker, if there's one thing you already know, one thing that everybody already knows, you and I are not the same person. No matter how many people try to compare us, even before the same team drafted us, we know we are never fully defined by the way we play, or the uniform we wear.
What I do know is this: life's experiences are the best teachers. Through all the good days you'll encounter over your career there, you'll undoubtedly face some tough ones as well. Through all the good and the bad, stay close to your family, and more so, continue to be you. That's what's taken you from a walk-on to a Heisman trophy winner to a first-round draft pick.
Beyond all that, Baker, I simply want to wish you all the success that you deserve. I hope you don't take a single day, a single snap, for granted. I hope you own the moment, and give the Browns fans every bit of happiness that they deserve.
Your friend, Johnny Manziel."
Check out the ESPN footage in the video embedded below.
In his first start, Mayfield threw for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, as the Browns fell to 1-2-1 on the season with a 45-42 loss in overtime. Mayfield and co. will return to the Dawg Pound next Sunday for a Week 5 matchup against the division rival Baltimore Ravens.