Johnny Manziel and Trent Richardson on Nick Saban, The "Bust" Tag, & Getting Drafted To The Browns

Feb 12, 2026 • 1:07:44

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Episode Notes

Trent Richardson joins Johnny for a nostalgic conversation between two SEC legends. Trent and Johnny share the experience of being at the top of the college football world, being 1st round draft picks, and playing in the defunct Alliance of American Football. This episode will bring you back to arguably the greatest and purest era of college football.

To kick it off, Trent and Johnny break down the Super Bowl and what allowed the Seahawks to dominate. Trent and Johnny give their flowers to Kenneth Walker and the Seattle run game and how it wore down the New England defense. Trent compares the game to the Alabama vs. LSU battles of the 2011-12 season and how the physicality in the trenches determined the results.

The conversation shifts to their post-NFL careers in dysfunctional leagues like the AAF and the CFL. As two of the biggest names in the AAF, they share the crazy story of how the league folded midseason. Trent follows up with how important fatherhood is to him and how he had to stop playing in Canada to be there for his children.

Next, Trent and Johnny dive into Nick Saban and how he made the Alabama program the blueprint for success in college football. Trent shares stories from his time in Tuscaloosa and how that culture taught him how to be successful in all aspects of his life. Coach Saban created a hyper-competitive environment where everything is earned, whereas present day Alabama has lost its identity with the departure of the legendary coach.

To conclude the conversation, the pair shares their thoughts on the “bust” label and how other people’s opinions do not define their career. Trent brings light to how many hardships he overcame in his life and how he created a better life for himself and his family because of what he achieved on the field.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

3:15 - Super Bowl Breakdown

9:06 - PrizePicks Ad

9:42 - The Chaos of the AAF

17:30 - Fatherhood & Family

21:57 - Playing for Nick Saban & Alabama

33:39 - What’s Wrong with Football in 2026

40:57 - Playing Behind Mark Ingram

43:39 - Lucy Ad

45:01 - Recruiting Stories

51:09 - Getting Drafted by the Browns