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 fame playing college football for Texas A&M, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, his NFL career was short-lived and marked by inconsistent performance and off-field issues. Manziel also played in the CFL, AAF, and Fan Controlled Football, but failed to achieve sustained success in any league. His career is largely regarded as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2010: NUC All World Game

In 2010, Johnny Manziel was named to the NUC All World Game and had a standout performance, marking his first time dominating on a national stage. He played alongside Marcus Mariota.

2010: Mr. Texas Football Award

In 2010, Johnny Manziel won the Mr. Texas Football award.

2011: Redshirted at Texas A&M

During the 2011 season, Johnny Manziel was redshirted and did not play in any games, but he did make the travel squad after enrolling with the college in January.

2011: Attended Texas A&M under Mike Sherman

In 2011, Johnny Manziel received an athletic scholarship to attend Texas A&M University, where he attended under coach Mike Sherman.

2011: Ryan Tannehill Left for NFL

In 2011, Ryan Tannehill left Texas A&M for the NFL, creating uncertainty at the quarterback position which opened the door for Johnny Manziel.

August 30, 2012: Game Postponed Due to Hurricane Isaac

On Thursday, August 30, 2012, Johnny Manziel's first game against Louisiana Tech was postponed until October 13 due to Hurricane Isaac.

2012: Played for Kevin Sumlin

From 2012 to 2013, Johnny Manziel played for new coach Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M University.

2012: College Debut at Texas A&M

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.

August 28, 2013: NCAA Suspension Agreement

On August 28, 2013, the NCAA reached an agreement with Texas A&M to suspend Johnny Manziel for the first half of the team's game against Rice, after acknowledging that he did not receive any money for signing autographs.

2013: Played for Kevin Sumlin

From 2012 to 2013, Johnny Manziel played for new coach Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M University.

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.

2013: Record-Setting Game Against Alabama

In 2013, Johnny Manziel threw for a school record of 464 yards and five touchdowns in the game against No. 1 Alabama, which resulted in a 49-42 loss for Texas A&M.

January 15, 2014: Rising Draft Stock

As of January 15, 2014, Johnny Manziel's draft stock was reported to be rising, with experts considering him as a top-five pick.

January 2014: Declared for 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, where he completed 64 of 66 passes, receiving positive feedback from sports journalists.

August 22, 2014: Fined by NFL

On August 22, 2014, Johnny Manziel was fined $12,000 by the NFL for a hand gesture during a preseason game. Brian Hoyer was named the starter over Manziel.

November 30, 2014: First NFL Touchdown

On November 30, 2014, Johnny Manziel scored his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard rush during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills.

December 21, 2014: Hamstring Injury Against Panthers

On December 21, 2014, Johnny Manziel left the game against the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury.

2014: First Career Passing Touchdown

In 2014, Johnny Manziel scored his first career passing touchdown with a 54-yard pass to Travis Benjamin during a game against the New York Jets.

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 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.

2014: Polarizing Pre-Draft Athlete

Prior to the 2014 NFL draft, Johnny Manziel became a polarizing athlete, with scouting opinions varying significantly. Former NFL head coach Barry Switzer criticized Manziel's behavior.

2015: Missed Game Due to Concussion

In 2015, Johnny Manziel sat out the last game of the season with a concussion and was reportedly in Las Vegas instead of with the team.

2015: End of Browns Tenure

Johnny Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns after the end of the 2015 season.

February 2016: Browns Planned to Cut Ties

In early February 2016, it was reported that the Browns planned to cut ties with Johnny Manziel due to his off-field conduct and a domestic violence investigation.

March 11, 2016: Released by Browns

On March 11, 2016, Johnny Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns.

June 30, 2016: Manziel Suspended by NFL

On June 30, 2016, Johnny Manziel was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

2016: Unsigned in NFL

Following controversies during the 2016 offseason, Johnny Manziel was not signed by another team before the start of the NFL season.

March 31, 2017: Tiger-Cats Revealed Negotiation List

On March 31, 2017, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL revealed they had placed Johnny Manziel on their negotiation list, granting them exclusive rights to attempt to sign him.

December 28, 2017: CFL Approved Manziel to Play

On December 28, 2017, the CFL approved Johnny Manziel to play in the league.

2017: CFL Evaluation Process

Throughout 2017, Johnny Manziel went through an evaluation process with the CFL, including a workout with the Tiger-Cats. He was ultimately not allowed to sign for the 2017 season but could sign for 2018 if certain conditions were met.

January 31, 2018: Deadline for Tiger-Cats Offer

By January 31, 2018, Johnny Manziel wanted a fair deal offered by Hamilton to consider to play for them.

May 19, 2018: Manziel Agrees to Contract with Tiger-Cats

On May 19, 2018, Johnny Manziel and the Tiger-Cats announced they agreed to a two-year contract.

2018: Played in CFL

In 2018, Johnny Manziel played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

2018: Return to Football with Tiger-Cats

In 2018, Johnny Manziel returned to football with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

2018: Conditional Approval to Play in CFL

Johnny Manziel would be able to sign with a CFL team for the 2018 season if he met certain conditions.

March 16, 2019: Manziel Joins Alliance of American Football

On March 16, 2019, Johnny Manziel signed an agreement to join the Alliance of American Football and was assigned to the Memphis Express after the San Antonio Commanders waived his rights.

2019: Manziel's AAF Season Ends Early

In 2019, Johnny Manziel played for the Memphis Express in the AAF but suffered a concussion. The league suspended football operations, ending his season.

2019: Played in AAF

In 2019, Johnny Manziel played for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

2019: Alouettes Release Manziel

In 2019, the Alouettes released Johnny Manziel on orders from the CFL after officials determined he had "contravened" the terms of his contract. The CFL also barred him from signing with any other CFL team.

2019: Kyler Murray shorter than Manziel

On draft day in 2019, Kyler Murray became the shortest quarterback drafted in the first round after Johnny Manziel.

September 2020: Manziel Announces Retirement

In September 2020, Johnny Manziel announced his retirement from football, though he didn't rule out a return, especially with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's involvement in the XFL.

December 30, 2020: Manziel Signs with Fan Controlled Football

On December 30, 2020, Johnny Manziel signed with Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and was assigned to the Zappers.

2020: Montreal Alouettes Trade

In 2020, the Montreal Alouettes were involved in the trade that sent Manziel to their team.

February 2021: Manziel Expresses Disinterest in Professional Football

In a February 2021 interview, Johnny Manziel stated he joined the FCF out of boredom and expressed disinterest in playing any more professional football in the future.