Great story on FSU football player E.J. Manuel

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<p>From his hometown paper in Virginia, an in-depth article on FSU quarterback E.J. Manuel:

By Kyle Tucker
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 24, 2011</p>

<p>TALLAHASSEE, Fla.</p>

<p>The professor has given the same presentation for years. When freshman athletes arrive at Florida State that first summer, Mark Zeigler welcomes them with a speech that is equal parts pep talk and cautionary tale.</p>

<p>He tells the Seminoles’ success stories, recounts the national championships and Heisman trophies and famous alumni who have become millionaire athletes.</p>

<p>Then he covers the other side, “the ones who, quite frankly, didn’t make us proud,” Zeigler said. The ones who flunked out, got locked up or became ensnared by scandal - stories so disturbingly common in sports that they’re a cliche…</p>

<p>In July 2008, he wondered as he backed out of a parking space if anything had sunk in with this newest crop. Then came a startling clatter on the rear window.</p>

<p>Zeigler turned to see a towering teenager leaning down.</p>

<p>“My name is EJ,” Zeigler remembers hearing. “I was at your talk. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll never let you down.”…</p>

<p>His teammates and coaches believe Manuel will be a star - but they’d rather talk about what a good guy he is. As the Seminoles wrapped up spring practice last Saturday, it was hard to find anyone in Tallahassee not gushing about Manuel.</p>

<p>“When people think about a Florida State football player, if they think of EJ Manuel, I’ll be the happiest guy in the world,” coach Jimbo Fisher said. “I love everything about him.”…</p>

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For the rest of the article, see: [Former</a> Bayside star is G.M.O.C. - Good Man On Campus at Fla. State | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com](<a href=“The Virginian-Pilot - Virginia News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do”>The Virginian-Pilot - Virginia News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do)</p>