Former Heisman Trophy winner Manziel keeping door to CFL wide open
The Canadian Football League remains very much on Johnny Manziel’s radar.
A return to the National Football League is still the former Heisman Trophy winner’s top priority. But if an offer doesn’t come this off-season, then the 25-year-old Texan will play in Canada in 2018.
“If something pops up, it pops up,” Manziel told reporters Tuesday after throwing at Texas A&M’s pro day. “If not and I don’t get the opportunity to go back (to NFL) I’m going to go play in the CFL and things are going to be fine.
“One way or another, one day down the line I’ll get back to exactly where I want to be because I’m not going to stop until I do.”
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats own Manziel’s CFL rights and have made a contract offer to his agent, Erik Burkhardt.
The Ticats currently have starter Jeremiah Masoli along with Vernon Adams Jr., Dane Evans and Bryant Moniz under contract.
Manziel drew a crowd at College Station, Texas, as all 32 NFL teams and two from the CFL (Saskatchewan and Montreal) attended Tuesday’s workout. Manziel’s presence also drew plenty of attention on social media with photos and video of him throwing passes posted online.
It was Manziel’s second pro day appearance. He also threw at the University of San Diego’s workout Thursday before scouts representing 13 NFL teams.
Manziel starred at Texas A&M, capturing the ’12 Heisman Trophy as U.S. college football’s top player. He was selected in the first round in the 2014 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
But the Browns released Manziel in March 2016 after he posted a 2-6 record over two tumultuous seasons. Manziel has been out of football since.
Manziel also had public offfield issues. Manziel has also divulged he’s been diagnosed with bipolar disorder that he takes medication for and candidly discussed his alcohol use while he had depression.