Eagles

Johnny Manziel Was Booted from the CFL

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 27th, 2019 · 4:25 PM EST

---

Eagles Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks asks the question currently on my mind:

Trying to figure out what you had to do to be banned from the ENTIRE CFL?!?!?!

— Brandon Brooks (@bbrooks_79) February 27, 2019

He’s talking about Johnny Manziel, who this afternoon was booted from the Canadian Football League for breaking “the agreement which made him eligible to play in the league.”

From the official league website:

The CFL has informed all of its clubs that it will not register a contract for the former Texas A&M pivot should any club attempt to sign him.

“We are disappointed by this turn of events. Johnny was provided a great deal of support by our organization, in collaboration with the CFL, but he has been unable to abide by the terms of his agreement,” said (Montreal Alouettes) General Manager Kavis Reed in a statement. “We worked with the league and presented alternatives to Johnny, who was unwilling to proceed.”

The former Heisman Trophy winner and Cleveland Brown played eight games in Montreal, throwing for 5 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and 1,290 yards in eight games. He ran 29 times for 219 yards.

Looks like a perfect time for the Alliance of American Football to snap up Johnny Football and grab some ratings.

Ben Kercheval at CBS Sports:

Regarding the AAF, there are a few things to consider. First are the technicalities. An Alliance spokesperson told CBS Sports that if Manziel was picked up by the AAF through the allocation formula set up by co-founder Bill Polian, he would be sent to the San Antonio Commanders. Manziel played college football at Texas A&M, where he was a Heisman Trophy winner in 2012. Multiple players on the Commanders’ roster came from A&M.

However, why Manziel was not only released by the Alouettes, but effectively barred from the CFL, is a major detail in whether the AAF would be willing to pick up such a polarizing player at all. The CFL did not explicitly state why Manziel was being cut and the AAF is looking into it further.

Manziel will also not be allowed to play in the XFL because he has a criminal record:

Oh man. I’m not eligible for the XFL?? Looks like I’ve gotta go to my back up plan and apply at @barstoolsports @stoolpresidente

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) January 25, 2018

Time’s….. yours.