Johnny Manziel has been released from the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes and is also NOW BANNED from signing with any other CFL team.
The team announced his release Wednesday only a year after the former college star was signed by the CFL.
The Alouettes statement included: “based on the direction of the Canadian Football League” after he apparently broke an agreement he had with the league that allowed him to play.
The league has also banned Manziel from playing in the CFL after telling teams that officials would not approve any contract given to the quarterback.
“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 Alouettes General Manager Kavis Reed in a statement. “We worked with the league and presented alternatives to Johnny, who was unwilling to proceed.”
In early 2018, Manziel was offered a contract by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Where he spent the first month of the season on the bench before he was traded to the Alouettes in a trade deal that included two first-round draft picks.
Just saw Johnny Manziel at a charity event here in Houston. Great with the kids. Seemed in a good place. Today's #CFL release and ban crushing on many levels for him. Much more than just football. #manziel
— Greg Bailey (@GregBailey13) February 27, 2019
Could this open up the doors to Manziel to the AAF? Or XFL?
On ComebackSZN's season finale, I asked @JManziel2 about playing in the AAF/XFL:
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) February 27, 2019
"I don’t know what my exact steps will be for the years coming up, but at least there’s a lot of options. [We're] fully committed to playing ball and trying to get into the best situation possible."
We will have to wait and see what Manziel did.
I want to thank Coach Sherman, my teammates, and the CFL fans. My time there reestablished my love for the game of football and the work that goes into it. I look forward to exploring new options within the United States.
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) February 27, 2019