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Bill Wippert

NFL coach apologises - twice - for calling Johnny Football a 'midget'

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis greatly regrets ‘thoughtless’ jibe at Manziel.

CINCINNATI BENGALS HEAD coach Marvin Lewis has apologised for a second time after he labelled Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel a “midget.”

On Monday night Lewis said sorry to Manziel — who is six feet tall — and he went a step further on Tuesday.

“I’m aware that my comment on local radio last night was offensive to people of short stature and to their families and friends,” Lewis said in a new statement released by the Bengals, who face the Browns on Sunday.

“It was thoughtless on my part to use the word I did, and not excusable, and I greatly regret it.”

The “midget” remark came in a phone call to a Cincinnati radio show, after news broke that the Bengals would be facing Manziel, the much-hyped US collegiate star nicknamed “Johnny Football,” in his first NFL start.

Manziel gets the starting nod over Brian Hoyer, who started the first 13 games of the season for Cleveland. With a 7-6 record, the Browns are trying to stay alive in the playoff race. They’re last in an AFC North division headed by the 8-4 Bengals.

Manziel saw his first significant action in a relief role a fortnight ago in a loss to Buffalo, guiding the Browns to a touchdown in that 26-10 setback.

Coach Mike Pettine nevertheless stuck with Hoyer on Sunday, but after Hoyer struggled against Indianapolis, Pettine opted to look at Manziel.

- © AFP, 2014

It’s okay to drop the F-Bomb because Tom Brady says so

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    Mute Aaron
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    Dec 10th 2014, 9:35 AM

    Can’t wait to see Manziel play Sunday!! Love him or hate him he’s box office

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Dec 10th 2014, 12:11 PM

    Aaron, most of his box office moments this season have been of the field. Hopefully he’s not another Tebow who won a Heisman and couldn’t reach the heights expected of him.

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    Mute Alan Tormey
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    Dec 10th 2014, 1:32 PM

    I reckon we’ll have the lot Sunday, Pass TD, Rush TD, interception, fumble you name it. Definitely Box Office stuff.

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