Joe Flacco is a Johnny Manziel Fan

It didn't take much for the critics to let loose on Johnny Manziel during and after Saturday's season opener for Texas A&M against Rice. Did he get a little cocky? Maybe, but after taking all the crap that he has the last month can you blame him? Especially after he showed fans just why he was the best player in college football last season?

I can't. And apparently Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco can't either.

Flacco knows a thing or two about the haters and critics. Throughout his career he has been called nothing more than a game manager; someone tasked with not losing the game while the defense wins it.

So while the hate may be for different reasons, Flacco--a Super Bowl winner and MVP-- understands what Manziel must deal with. According to someone with the Carrol County Times he thinks pretty highly of Johnny Football too.

Joe Flacco on Johnny Manziel: "I feel like now everybody hates him. He's quickly becoming my favorite player in college football"
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 1, 2013

Being critical is easy; everyone does it (too much). Being supportive and speaking out in support of a popular target--not so easy.

But it is a whole lot classier. Kudos to you Joe Flacco.