Rece Davis, the host of College Gameday, urged fans to “read between the lines” as he commented on Johnny Manziel’s unexpected absence from the show. This was the first time Manziel, the iconic former Texas A&M quarterback, missed an appearance he was slated for.

Manziel was originally set to join the ESPN show as the guest picker for a segment featuring his alma mater, Texas A&M, as they faced off against the Miami Hurricanes in College Station last Saturday. However, just before he was due on air, Davis disclosed that Alex Caruso, a former Texas A&M basketball player and two-time NBA champion, would be taking his place.

Although a spokesperson for Manziel later informed The Daily Mail that he had been sidelined by a sudden illness, Davis seemed to cast doubt on this explanation. Discussing the situation on the College Gameday podcast, Davis alluded to the possibility of other reasons behind Manziel’s absence.

“When you attend an event like that, you must be cautious about where you have breakfast the next morning,” Davis, 60, remarked. “It can leave you feeling unwell and make it difficult to get to your scheduled commitments.”

‘When you go to a fight like that, you’ve got to be very careful about where you eat breakfast the next morning,’ Davis, 60, said. ‘Because it can leave you ill and give you difficulty in reaching the locals where you are scheduled to be.’ 

College Gameday host Rece Davis addressed Johnny Manziel’s mysterious absence 

Johnny Manziel was quietly replaced as guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay from Texas

He added, ‘But I digress … I just wondered. Is that what the kids are calling it these days? A ‘bad breakfast?’ Anyway, wouldn’t cast dispersion anywhere. For those that follow closely, you’ll be able to read between the lines there. You have to follow a little closely.’ 

While the host didn’t mention the former Heisman Trophy winner by name, his implication was clear. 

On Sunday, a representative for Manziel confirmed to The Daily Mail that the Aggies icon was in fact ‘medically unable to travel due to illness’ from Miami to Texas.

Manziel became ‘acutely ill’ late on Friday night after contracting norovirus while spending time with family earlier in the week.

‘While en route to the airport, his condition worsened, and following medical advice, he and his team made the decision to turn back,’ a spokesperson for Manziel said.

The legendary Texas A&M star remained in Miami where he is receiving treatment and recovering from the illness.

‘His team worked to connect ESPN and Bleacher Report with Alex to ensure a smooth transition on the show, and he appreciates everyone’s understanding under the circumstances,’ his representative added.

ESPN had declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Mail on Saturday.

The Heisman Trophy winner was at the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight on Friday night 

Manziel was quietly replaced by former Texas A&M basketball player Alex Caruso on the show

Manziel took to his Instagram story on Sunday morning to apologize to the frustrated and disappointed Aggies fanbase.

‘I will have plenty more to say about what transpired yesterday,’ he wrote. ‘There is almost nothing on this earth that would have made me miss that game. To all the people that genuinely reached out and checked in on me I cannot thank you enough.

‘To ESPN, Pat, Coach, Desmond, and the entire crew on gameday I apologize it was out of my control. To the Aggies and A&M fan base I’m sorry.

‘I will continue to let everyone out there run with a fake narrative and at the end of the day perception always wins over reality. I love all of you who genuinely support me through good and bad like you’ve all done for years.

‘I have no doubt Texas A&M and the Aggie football program will be in that position again. I’m recovering and feeling about a 3/10 going to rest up and try to get back to normal.’

Even in perfect health, Manziel would have faced a quick turnaround to jet from South Florida to the Lone Star State.

The blockbuster bout, which was won by Joshua by knockout after six rounds, ended at around midnight ET, leaving him little time to get from Miami to College Station for College GameDay, which began at 9am.