CLEVELAND, Ohio – When he played at Texas A&M, Johnny Manziel was often compared to a video game character with his incredible elusiveness and ability to perform miracles. Therefore, it is appropriate for the former Browns defender to try to revive his professional career in a new league that combines the best parts of live football and video games.
Manziel’s last return attempt will be with the Zappers of Fan Controlled Football, the league announced on Wednesday.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Johnny Manziel joining the FCF,” said Sohrob Farudi, FCF co-founder and CEO, in a statement. “Having one of the most talented and exciting players in the history of college football is a historic moment for FCF and for our fans, who will have the opportunity to mark the moves for Manziel.”
“Football has always been a big part of my life, and the opportunity to join FCF was too good to pass up,” added Manziel, who lasted until 2019 as a member of the Memphis Express at the Alliance of American Football. “FCF is doing something new and original in the sport, a league that really revolves around fans and allows them to make decisions. I can’t wait to get started – this is going to be fun. “
Manziel’s tone has changed since June, when he told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that his days as a player were “probably in the past”.
“It has a lot of potential to just be a good time and still be focused on football,” he told ESPN on Wednesday. “They are going to let people [who] join this league whoever they are and have fun with it and be a little freer than football sometimes is. This is definitely what attracted me. “
The FCF will encourage players to broadcast their activities live off the field and connect with fans directly in the same way that sports players do. Since being cut by the Browns in 2016, the player formerly known as “Johnny Football” has played in the Spring League and Canadian Football League in addition to the AAF. Manziel also battled substance abuse, depression and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Fan Controlled Football, made up of four teams, will be just that. Fans will have a say in everything – from the design of the uniforms and the implementation of the league rules to the selection of the initial lineups and the plays in real time. The 7 vs. 7 games will last about an hour and will be broadcast live on Twitch from an Atlanta facility. Registered fans compete against each other in interactive contests, earning personalized badges and unlocking special benefits.
“The long-term vision is to create a whole new world that lies between games and traditional sports,” said Farudi in a statement.
The league has yet to announce when its six-week schedule will begin.