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SPORTS Thursday 28 February 2019

Johnny Manziel released, barred from other CFL teams

MONTREAL (AP) — Johnny old nicknamed Johnny
Manziel's time in the Ca- Football went 2-6 as a
nadian Football League is starter, completing 106 of
over. 165 passes (64.2 percent)
The CFL terminated the for 1,290 yards with five TDs
2012 Heisman Trophy win- and seven interceptions.
ner's contract with the He also ran for 215 yards on
Montreal Alouettes on 29 carries as Montreal (5-
Wednesday. The league 13) finished third in the East
also informed the eight Division but missed the CFL
other teams that it wouldn't playoffs.
register a contract for Man- "We are disappointed by
ziel if any tried to sign him. this turn of events," Alou-
"We advised Montreal that ettes GM Kavis Reed said in
Johnny had violated one of a statement. "Johnny was
the conditions we had set provided a great deal of
for him to be in our league. support by our organiza-
And Montreal announced tion, in collaboration with
his release today," CFL the CFL, but he has been
Commissioner Randy Am- In this Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 file photo, Montreal Alouettes quarterback Johnny Manziel throws a unable to abide by the
brosie said in Vancouver. pass during warmups before a CFL football game against the BC Lions in Montreal. terms of his agreement.
"We didn't release the "We worked with the
terms of those conditions onetime Cleveland Brown Cleveland Browns first- tal on a 2016 charge of do- league and presented al-
then and we're not going could be the Alliance of round pick, who at the time mestic violence. ternatives to Johnny, who
to do that now. American Football, which was on the Hamilton Tiger- Manziel eventually ended was unwilling to proceed."
"We're trying to do what we kicked off its inaugural sea- Cats negotiation list. But up signing with Hamilton Manziel was taken in the
believe is in the best inter- son earlier this month. Man- Manziel had to fulfill certain in May 2018 but was un- first round, No. 22 overall,
ests of the entire league. ziel said he was intrigued by requirements to join the able to get on to the field in the 2014 NFL draft by
The conditions we set, we the prospect of playing in league. behind starter Jeremiah Cleveland. But following
thought were the right either that or Xtreme Foot- The league's due diligence Masoli. The Tiger-Cats dealt two tumultuous seasons,
ones. Those conditions ball League, which begins included an assessment Manziel and offensive line- the Browns released the Ty-
have been violated and operation next year. by an independent expert men Tony Washington and ler, Texas, native in March
we feel it's best, and Mon- "It's great for football, it's on domestic violence and Landon Rice in a trade with 2016 after he posted a 2-6
treal feels its best, to let great for the guys who a face-to-face meeting Montreal on July 23 for re- record as their starter.
Johnny move on. And we need more opportunity, between Manziel and Am- ceiver Chris Williams, de- Manziel appeared in just
think it's best for our league need more film and time to brosie. fensive end Jamaal Wes- 14 games with Cleveland,
that he do the same. And play," Manziel said on Bar- Exactly what conditions terman and two first-round completing 147 of 258 at-
we wish him well." stool Sports Comeback SZN or requirements that were draft picks (2020, '21). tempts (57.0 percent) for
A post on Manziel's Twitter podcast. "I don't know ex- broken or violated weren't The move reunited Manziel 1,675 yards with seven
account indicated he was actly what my exact steps divulged. Manziel had with Sherman, who recruit- touchdowns and seven
already looking for other will be for the next years sought treatment for anger ed him to Texas A&M. Ac- interceptions. He also
opportunities. coming up, but at least management and alcohol quired to be Montreal's No. ran for 259 yards and a
"I want to thank (Alouettes there's a lot of options. abuse as part of his acquit- 1 quarterback, the 26-year- touchdown.q
coach Mike Sherman), my "Me and E.B. (agent Erik
teammates and the CFL Burkhardt) are fully com-
fans," Manziel tweeted . "My mitted to playing ball and
time there re-established trying to get into the best
my love for the game of situation possible and that's
football and the work that what it's all about."
goes into it. I look forward In December 2017, CFL
to exploring new options commissioner Randy Am-
within the United States." brosie announced the
One option for the for- league would approve
mer Texas A&M star and a contract for the former