Johnny Manziel Explains ‘Money Sign’ Origin

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) gestures on stage after being selected as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

“Show me the Money.” The line was made famous in the film, Jerry Maguire, and had a resurgence when Johnny Manziel started flashing the money sign at Texas A&M.

But why does Johnny do it?

He explained the answer during ESPN Cleveland’s Hey Tony! show Wednesday morning, when he went “On the Clock” with longtime Browns reporter Tony Grossi.

Manziel said it started during his redshirt season at A&M as a “playful gesture” between himself and running back Ben Molina.

“What me and Ben Molina would do, when were freshman at A&M, was kind of just say, let’s get this money, let’s go make a play for this team. Me and Ben kind of had an inside joke, and look where it is now.”

Of course, the money sign can backfire big time. Michael Sam may never play a down in a real NFL game, but a lot of fans will remember his “Show Me The Money” taunt after sacking Manziel during the exhibition season.

Among other things, Manziel also answers a question about what it meant to have Kevin Sumlin become the head coach at A&M.