Former NFL quarterback and Texas A&M star Johnny Manziel came to the defense of the Texas state trooper who was caught exchanging words with South Carolina star Nyck Harbor during Saturday’s game against the Aggies.

After hauling in an 80-yard touchdown for the Gamecocks, Nyck Harbor and some of his teammates briefly ran into the tunnel behind the end zone to celebrate. An angry state trooper put up his elbows as if to avoid the Gamecocks players, only to turn around and yell at the confused Harbor:

After a video of the incident went viral, the Texas A&M Police Department announced that the trooper had been sent home. The Aggies erased a 27-point deficit and pulled out a thrilling 31-30 comeback victory.

During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s “Nightcap” podcast (h/t Kristen Wong of Sports Illustrated), Johnny Manziel took a different side and actually defended the trooper’s actions:

“I think we’re just a little frustrated in that first half. He breaks off that run, runs out the tunnel. Around here in these parts, partner, we protect this house. We paid a lot of money for this house. Get out of my tunnel, boy! Get back on the field. He gave him a lil something, let him know what’s up…It is a small gesture that of course in the day and age we live in, it’s on TV and recorded and blasted everywhere. I’m sure the guy obviously feels bad about it.”

Johnny Manziel praised the police in the area for doing their job in protecting the school, though he opines that Texas A&M took proper care of the incident:

“He sought it out for sure. And to be honest, I’ve had my tiffs with the state troopers and the city police of Bryan and College Station. I will say for the majority of the people in law enforcement in and around this area, this is a very well-policed, very protect the school and protect the people area…But that today, what we saw, was wrong for sure. And I think A&M did handle it the right way.”

Manziel played at Texas A&M from 2011 to 2013, winning the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien and Manning Awards in 2012.

Johnny Manziel’s Success At Texas A&M Didn’t Translate Over To The NFL

Manziel was one of the great American sports media darlings during his three years at Texas A&M, but scouts were divided on him as an NFL prospect. While some well-known sports personalities (hello, Skip Bayless) thought Manziel would be the next big thing, others questioned his character and whether his style of play would work in the pros.

Cleveland wound up drafting Manziel 22nd overall in 2014. Unfortunately, off-the-field and character issues prevented “Johnny Football” from reaching his potential in the NFL, and he was out of the league after two seasons.

Manziel went 2-6 as a starter with seven touchdowns against as many interceptions. Brief stops in the CFL and now-defunt Alliance of American Football did nothing to revive his career.