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SPORTS Wednesday 20 March 2019

Manziel confident as he begins

his latest football comeback

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — He was awarded through “Johnny Football” while
Johnny Manziel says he re- the league’s waiver system dazzling Southeastern Con-
mains confident in his abil- to the Express, who have a ference crowds with his
ity to play football “at any league-worst 1-5 record. combination of passing
level” as the 2012 Heisman He joins the spring league and running prowess.
Trophy winner attempts an- for its inaugural season less “Our guys are excited, our
other comeback, this time than a month after the CFL team is excited and I feel
with the Alliance of Ameri- terminated his contract with that many of the people
can Football’s Memphis Ex- the Montreal Alouettes. CFL here in Memphis are excit-
press. officials also informed the ed,” Singletary said.
An introductory news con- league’s other eight teams Manziel said he is refocus-
ference was held Tuesday that they wouldn’t register ing his life and believes
in Memphis for Manziel, a contract for Manziel if playing football again will
who agreed over the week- any tried to sign him. help. In this July 23, 2018, file photo, Montreal Alouettes quarterback
end to join the new league. CFL Commissioner Randy “I’ve done a lot of soul Johnny Manziel speaks to the media after practice in Montreal.
The former first-round draft Ambrosie said Manziel searching and a lot of look- Associated Press
pick out of Texas A&M “had violated one of the ing at myself in the mirror His pro career began with Memphis team that has
dealt with a series of off- conditions we had set for and coming to the real- the Cleveland Browns, who dealt with adversity at the
field issues during his stints in him to be in our league” ization that when I’m on selected him with the 22nd quarterback position.
the NFL and CFL. without offering specifics. a football field and on a overall pick in the 2014 Zach Mettenberger re-
“My confidence level is Manziel had sought treat- team, my life is substantially draft. Manziel made two placed Christian Hacken-
high,” Manziel said. “I be- ment for anger manage- better,” he said. starts in 2014 and six more in berg as the Express’ start-
lieve I still have a unique ment and alcohol abuse Manziel went 2-6 as a start- 2015 before the Browns re- ing QB early in the season.
skill set and still have the as part of his acquittal on er with Montreal last season leased him in March 2016. Mettenberger injured an
ability to play at any level a 2016 charge of domestic and completed 64.2 per- Manziel completed just 57 ankle Saturday on the first
anywhere.” violence. cent of his passes for 1,290 percent of his career pass play from scrimmage and
Manziel’s rights in the AAF Express coach Mike Single- yards with five touchdowns attempts. He threw seven was unable to return in
belonged to the San An- tary was happy to take a and seven interceptions. touchdown passes and the team’s 22-9 loss at Salt
tonio Commanders, but chance on the guy who He also ran for 215 yards on seven interceptions. Lake. He was replaced by
they declined to sign him. earned the nickname 29 carries. His arrival could boost a Brandon Silvers.q