Over the weekend, Week 1 of the 2014 NFL preseason kicked into full swing and all eyes were on the Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions match up on the NFL Network to see Johnny Manziel step onto the field for the first time in his NFL career.
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Apparently, the Johnny Football hysteria is not only media driven as some seem to believe.
According to a report from The Big Lead, the preseason game between the Browns and Lions drew 2.2 million viewers and netted a 1.81 rating.
That was enough to make Johnny Manziel’s debut the most watched preseason game in NFL Network preseason history. Yeah, I think it is fair to say that people are excited to see what Manziel may bring to the NFL.
Before Johnny Manziel’s debut, the most watched preseason game was between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2007. That game drew nearly 800,000 fewer viewers.
Check out the full top five below, via The Big Lead:
1) Aug. 9, 2014: Cleveland vs. Detroit. 1.81 US HH / 2.82 M viewers
2) Aug. 5, 2007: New Orleans vs. Pittsburgh (HOF). 1.25 US HH / 2.07 M viewers
3) Aug. 15, 2010: Denver vs. Cincinnati. 1.23 US HH / 2.01 M viewers
4) Aug. 5, 2012: Arizona vs. New Orleans (HOF). 1.25 US HH / 1.97 M viewers
5) Aug. 18, 2012: New York Giants vs. New York Jets. 1.27 US HH / 1.90 M viewers
It is safe to say that people love them some Johnny Football.