Johnny Manziel was drafted on May 9, but still has the top-selling NFL jersey since April 1. http://t.co/x0L9i1LmqZ pic.twitter.com/tF4Jrj8CoC
— The Buzzer on FOX (@TheBuzzeronFOX) May 12, 2014
Jimmy Traina
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| Elsa / Getty Images North America |
When it comes to jersey sales, no player in the NFL is more popular right now.
According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, Manziel has the top-selling jersey on the NFL's official website since April 1.
He was not drafted until May 8.
Even LeBron has one.
Miami #Heat star @KingJames got his #Browns #1 @JManziel2 jersey. Did you? pic.twitter.com/QMp5s2pKpl
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 9, 2014
In terms of NFL rookie jersey sales, St. Louis' Michael Sam is second behind Manziel, while Jadeveon Clowney ranks third.
Manziel tops rookie jersey sales
By The SportsXchangeJohnny Manziel's No. 2 +Cleveland Browns jersey is the top-selling jersey on +NFLShop.com since April 1, +ESPN reported Monday.
The NFL will not say how many Manziel jerseys were sold, but did say that its official website store sold nearly as many Manziel jerseys during last weekend's draft as it sold Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, and Tim Tebow jerseys during their drafts combined.
There was a line outside the Cleveland Browns' team shop at FirstEnergy Stadium when Manziel jerseys went on sale at 11 a.m. Friday.
+Miami HEAT star LeBron James wore a Manziel jersey on Friday during his team's flight to New York. James' business partner, Maverick Carter, works with Manziel.
+Nike, which endorses Manziel and is the NFL's official uniform supplier, is selling Manziel jerseys in every version and size. The company also made special Manziel Browns shirts that read "Johnny Football" and "Manziel or Nothing" and a women's shirt that reads "My Manziel."
The second-most popular rookie jersey this year is +St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay player ever drafted. Sam's jersey was not even available until 9 p.m. ET Saturday when he was selected in the seventh and final round.
"We think this is a sign of what we've been saying all along, that Michael's inclusion in the NFL is bringing fans into the game who weren't previously consumers of the NFL game," said Sam's agent, Cameron Weiss.
+Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, +Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and +Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles rounded out the top five rookie jerseys sold. Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick, Bridgewater was the last pick of the first round and Bortles was the first quarterback chosen and third pick overall.
