CFL could approve Manziel deal for next year
Controversial quarterback Johnny Manziel will be allowed to sign a CFL contract for next season if he meets certain conditions spelled out by commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
“After an extensive process of due diligence and an in-person meeting with Mr. Manziel, the Commissioner has decided that he will not register any contract for Mr. Manziel for this season,” the CFL said in a press release. “However, Mr. Manziel will be eligible to sign a contract for the 2018 season and, if Mr. Manziel meets certain conditions that have been spelled out by the Commissioner, the CFL will register that contract. The specifics of those conditions are confidential and will not be disclosed.”
Manziel’s CFL rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-cats and he will remain on their negotiation list until Nov. 30 of this year.
Manziel had a stellar college career at Texas A&M University, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012 and becoming a hot prospect for the NFL.
He was drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
He was never able to establish himself as an NFL player on the field and his party lifestyle off the field led to arrests and treatment for drugs and alcohol. He was charged with domestic violence against his then girlfriend Colleen Crowley and wound up entering into a dismissal agreement to undergo counselling and have his conduct monitored for up to a year by prosecutors.
He was suspended for four games by the NFL in June of 2016 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
ManzieltoldESPN’sAdamSchefter he appreciated Ambrosie taking the time to meet with him and said he hopes to have a future in the CFL.
“I recently had a really positive meeting with commissioner Ambrosie and welcomed the chance for us to get to know each other and have an in-depth talk about a possible future with the CFL,” Manziel said. “I love this game and want to be back on the field in a situation where I can help a franchise in the long term. Over the past months, my agent helped me vet all of my options for playing, figuring out where I could be most effective and get back to having the most fun with the game I love. I’m ready to play today, but we all agreed with the commissioner that it made no sense for me to join a team with only a month left in the season — it wouldn’t have been fair to my teammates, coaches or the fan base. I want to come into a team and earn my job day one, like everyone else. I look forward to pre- paring myself as best I can and look forward to what the future holds.”