Johnny Manziel is a former American football quarterback best known as a college star and Heisman Trophy winner.
He played in the NFL, CFL, AAF and FCF, but his career was marred by inconsistency and off-field troubles.
He is known as “Johnny Soccer” and there is a documentary on Netflix about his life and career.
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- Full name: Jonathan Paul Manziel
- Date of birth: December 6, 1992
- Age: 32 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Tyler, Texas, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former professional soccer player
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
- Parents: Paul and Michelle Manziel
- Siblings: Meri Manziel (older sister)
- Spouse: Bre Tiesi (married 2018; September 2019)
- Children: None
- Relationship status: Single
- Net worth: $2 million
Early life and education
Johnny Manziel, now 32 years old, was born on December 6, 1992 in Tyler, Texas, to Paul and Michelle Manziel.
He is of Italian and Lebanese descent. He grew up in Kerrville, Texas, where he attended Tivy High School. He was a standout athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and golf.
He played dual-threat quarterback and broke several high school national records. He was also named National High School Player of the Year by Parade and Gatorade in 2010.
He enrolled at Texas A&M University in 2011 and skipped his freshman year. He became the starting quarterback for the Aggies in 2012 and had a great season. He threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns.
He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, the Manning Award, and the Davey O’Brien Award. He also set several NCAA and SEC records.
He continued his stellar performance in 2013, throwing for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns and running for 759 yards and nine touchdowns. He decided to forgo his final two years of college eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL draft.
Personal life
Johnny Manziel has had a tumultuous personal life, plagued by substance abuse, legal issues and mental health issues.
He dated model and actress Bre Tiesi and married her in 2018 in a private ceremony. However, the couple separated in 2019 and filed for divorce in 2020. Manziel has no children.
He admitted to struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and entered rehab in 2015. He was also accused of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley in 2016, but the charges were dismissed after he agreed to undergo counseling and treatment.
He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018 and said he was taking medication and physical therapy to manage his condition.
He is a fan of rap music and has made friends with several rappers, such as Drake, Future, and Rick Ross. He also enjoys golf and video games.
Career
Johnny Manziel’s professional football career was short and disappointing compared to his college success.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, with the 22nd overall pick.
He was expected to be a key midfielder for the struggling team, but he failed to live up to expectations.
He played in 15 games over two seasons, starting eight. He completed 147 of 258 passes for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He also ran for 259 yards and one touchdown. Poor performance, injuries and off-field controversies plagued him. The Browns released him after the 2015 season.
He attempted to revive his career in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2018. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but did not play.
He was traded to the Montreal Alouettes, where he played in eight games. He completed 106 of 165 passes for 1,290 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He also ran for 215 yards. He was banned from the CFL in 2019 for violating the terms of his contract.
He then joined the Memphis Express of the American Football Association (AAF) in 2019, a new league with the goal of becoming a development platform for the NFL.
He played in two games, completing 3 of 5 passes for 48 yards and a 20-yard run. He suffered a knee injury in the second game and was placed on the injured reserve list. The league ended shortly thereafter.
He last played for the FCF Zappers in 2021 and 2022 in Fan Controlled Football (FCF), a new league that allows fans to vote on plays and player rosters.
He played in seven games, completing 40 of 67 passes for 435 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.
He also ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He announced his retirement from football in 2022, saying he wanted to focus on his health and well-being.
Prize
Johnny Manziel has won a number of awards and honors throughout his football career, such as:
- Heisman Trophy (2012)
- Manning Award (2012)
- Davey O’Brien Award (2012)
- Associated Press Player of the Year (2012)
- Sporting News Player of the Year (2012)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
- All-SEC Team (2012, 2013)
- First All-American Team (2012, 2013)
- Chick-fil-A Bowl Most Valuable Player (2013)
Net worth
Johnny Manziel’s net worth is estimated at $2 million.
He earns most of his money from football contracts, sponsorship deals and appearances.
Argumentative
Johnny Manziel has been involved in a number of controversies throughout his football career and personal life, such as:
- He was arrested for disorderly conduct and providing false identification in 2012 after getting into a fight outside a bar. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine.
- The NCAA suspended him for the first half of the 2013 season after he was investigated for allegedly accepting money for signing autographs. He denied the allegations and no evidence was found.
- He made an obscene gesture toward the Washington Redskins bench during a 2014 preseason game after being taunted by opposing players. The NFL fined him $12,000 for his behavior.
- He was involved in a roadside altercation with then-girlfriend Colleen Crowley in 2015 after she accused him of beating her and threatening to kill her. He denied the allegations and was not charged.
- He entered rehab in 2015 after admitting he had a problem with alcohol and drugs. He spent ten weeks in treatment and said he was determined to change his lifestyle.
- He was benched by the Browns in 2015 after a video of him partying during the team’s off-week was released. He had previously told coaches he would stay out of trouble and focus on football.
- He was charged with domestic violence by Colleen Crowley in 2016 after she claimed he assaulted her at a hotel and in her car. A grand jury indicted him, but the charges were dismissed in 2017 after he agreed to undergo counseling and treatment.
- He was banned from the CFL in 2019 after violating the terms of his contract. Details of his violation were not disclosed, but it was speculated that he failed to meet the conditions of his agreement, which included regular drug testing and counseling.
- He was sued by a Los Angeles bartender in 2019 after he allegedly broke his nose in a fight in 2016. He denied the allegations and the case was settled out of court.
Social media
- Instagram: @jmanziel2
- Twitter: @JManziel2
List of movies played
Johnny Manziel has appeared in a documentary and several television shows, such as:
- Not to mention: Johnny Football (2023) – A Netflix documentary chronicling his rise and fall as a football star and his efforts to overcome his demons.
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) – A late night talk show in which he is interviewed by Jimmy Fallon and plays “Facebreakers” with him.
- The Late Show with David Letterman (2012) – A late night talk show where he is interviewed by David Letterman and presents his Top Ten List.
