Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Johnny Manziel
Discover the career path of Johnny Manziel, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Johnny Manziel, nicknamed "Johnny Football," is a former American football quarterback. He gained prominence playing college football at Texas A&M, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, his professional career was short-lived and marked by inconsistent performance and off-field issues. He subsequently played in the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and Fan Controlled Football, failing to achieve sustained success in any league.
2011: Ryan Tannehill leaves
After the 2011 season, Ryan Tannehill left for the National Football League.
2011: Redshirted Season
During the 2011 season, Johnny Manziel was redshirted and did not play in any games, but made the travel squad after enrolling with the college in January.
2012: College Football Debut
In 2012, Johnny Manziel debuted in college football for the Texas A&M Aggies as a redshirt freshman. He broke numerous NCAA Division I FBS and SEC records, becoming the first freshman to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
2012: Named Starting Quarterback
In 2012, despite an arrest for misdemeanor charges, Johnny Manziel regained the favor of his team and was named the starting quarterback for Texas A&M.
2013: Trademark for Nickname
In 2013, Johnny Manziel applied for and was granted a registered trademark for the nickname "Johnny Football".
2013: Cotton Bowl Classic Victory
In 2013, Johnny Manziel led Texas A&M to a 41–13 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
January 15, 2014: Draft Stock Rising
As of January 15, 2014, Johnny Manziel's draft stock was reported to be rising by a consensus of experts who had him pegged as a top-five pick.
January 2014: Enters NFL Draft
In January 2014, Johnny Manziel announced that he would forgo his junior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.
March 27, 2014: Texas A&M Pro Day
On March 27, 2014, Johnny Manziel elected to throw during Texas A&M's Pro Day, completing 64 of 66 passes.
November 30, 2014: First NFL Touchdown
On November 30, 2014, Johnny Manziel scored his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard rush against the Buffalo Bills.
2014: Drafted by the Cleveland Browns
In 2014, Johnny Manziel was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 22nd overall pick of the NFL draft.
2014: Drafted by the San Diego Padres
In the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, Johnny Manziel was drafted in the 28th round by the San Diego Padres as a shortstop.
2015: Released by the Browns
After struggling with consistency and off-field issues, Johnny Manziel was released by the Browns after the end of the 2015 season.
February 2016: Browns Plan to Cut Ties
In early February 2016, it was reported that the Browns planned to cut ties with Johnny Manziel as soon as the league's fiscal year began.
March 11, 2016: Released by the Browns
On March 11, 2016, Johnny Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns.
2016: Unsigned in the NFL
Following further controversies during the 2016 offseason, Johnny Manziel was not signed by another NFL team before the start of the season.
March 31, 2017: Placed on CFL Negotiation List
On March 31, 2017, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL revealed that they had placed Johnny Manziel on their negotiation list.
December 28, 2017: CFL Approves Manziel
On December 28, 2017, the CFL approved Johnny Manziel to play in the league.
2017: CFL Evaluation Process
In 2017, Johnny Manziel had a workout with the Tiger-Cats and the CFL evaluated him, ultimately deciding he could not sign for the 2017 season but could sign for 2018 if he met certain conditions.
January 31, 2018: Contract Negotiations
On January 31, 2018, Johnny Manziel's agent gave the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a deadline to offer a "fair deal".
May 19, 2018: Signs with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
On May 19, 2018, Johnny Manziel and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced that they had agreed to a two-year contract.
2018: Allowed to Sign with CFL Team
In 2017 the CFL announced that Johnny Manziel would be allowed to sign with any CFL team for the 2018 season if he met "certain conditions".
2018: Returns to Football in the CFL
In 2018, Johnny Manziel returned to professional football with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL and was later traded to the Alouettes.
March 16, 2019: Signs with Alliance of American Football
On March 16, 2019, Johnny Manziel signed an agreement to join the Alliance of American Football, being assigned to the Memphis Express after the San Antonio Commanders waived his rights.
2019: Plays in the AAF
In 2019, Johnny Manziel played for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football.
2019: Concussion and AAF Suspension
In 2019, Johnny Manziel suffered a concussion in a game against the Orlando Apollos and later that year, the AAF suspended football operations.
2019: Alouettes Release and CFL Ban
In 2019, the Alouettes released Johnny Manziel on orders from the CFL after determining he had "contravened" his contract terms, and he was barred from signing with any other CFL team.
September 2020: Retirement Announcement
In September 2020, Johnny Manziel announced his retirement from football.
December 30, 2020: Signs with Fan Controlled Football
On December 30, 2020, Johnny Manziel signed with Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and was assigned to the Zappers.
2020: Traded to Montreal Alouettes
In 2020, Johnny Manziel was traded by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to the Montreal Alouettes to give him a better chance at receiving playing time.
February 2021: Expressed Disinterest in Professional Football
In February 2021, Johnny Manziel stated he joined the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league out of boredom, and expressed disinterest in playing any more professional football in the future.
2021: Plays in Fan Controlled Football
From 2021 to 2022, Johnny Manziel played in Fan Controlled Football.
2021: Montreal Alouettes Draft Picks
In 2021, Montreal Alouettes sent a first-round draft pick to Hamilton Tiger-Cats as part of the trade for Johnny Manziel.
March 25, 2022: Return to FCF
On March 25, 2022, Johnny Manziel announced he would return to FCF for a second season, serving as a player-coach.
2022: Plays in Fan Controlled Football
From 2021 to 2022, Johnny Manziel played in Fan Controlled Football.
