Johnny Manziel To Make First CFL Start With Montreal Alouettes On Friday; QB Says He’s ‘Very Blessed’

Johnny Manziel is finally making a comeback to pro football – in Canada.

Johnny Manziel Will Start For the Montreal Alouettes

The troubled former Cleveland Browns quarterback will make his first CFL start Friday as a player for the Montreal Alouettes. Manziel, 25, had reportedly been listed as a backup for the team’s first six games. The Alouettes will play the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — who traded Manziel to the Alouetttes on July 22 — on Friday.

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“It’s good to be back in here,” said the former Heisman Trophy winner, who was known as “Johnny Football” during his time at Texas A&M. “I felt like the thing I’ve been missing, even over the course of this year and a couple years, is reps. And as you guys have seen the last couple days, a chance to get with the ones and get some reps is what I feel like I really need and what I’ve talked to a lot of people about.

“So I feel very blessed to be in this position, to be back in a situation where I’m starting again. It’s good. It’s a quick turnaround. But at the same time, I’m excited for the opportunity.”

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Manziel was released by the Browns in March 2016 after a series of off-the-field issues that included a domestic violence incident with his ex-girlfriend and claims of partying and wild behavior. Earlier this year, the quarterback impressed with his performance at the Spring League.

Manziel, a former first-round draft pick in 2014, said he has received great support since joining the CFL.