Josh Katzowitz

After an eye-opening first season at Texas A&M, the electrifying young quarterback affectionately known as "Johnny Football" became the first freshman ever to take home the Heisman Trophy in its 78-year history. Here, in perhaps the most revealing account to date, is the story behind the mystique: how young phenom Johnny Manziel escaped from relative obscurity and his dubious family name to—after a storybook, record-breaking season—take home college football's ultimate honor. "I'm a small-town kid," Manziel said before winning the Heisman. "I still look at myself that way. I don't see myself as Johnny Football. I see myself as Johnathan Manziel."