Johnny Football is back.
The ups and downs of Johnny Manziel’s football career seemed to be over in a game on Saturday night for his debut in the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league.
Former Heisman Trophy winner completed 1 of 5 passes for 11 yards, adding 67 yards and a touchdown on eight loads, including an impressive 38 yard run on his first snap. His team, the Zappers, lost 48-44, but Manziel was still enjoying himself.
“The product will continue to improve over the weeks, ” said Manziel after the game. “Good start even with the loss. You know, win or lose, we drink at Zappers. “
Saturday’s game in the new 7-on-7 league, in which fans can call up offensive moves, marked Manziel’s first football action since 2019, when he played for the Memphis Express at the Alliance of American Football. He jumped from league to league after playing his last NFL photo with the Browns in 2015.
The 28-year-old was in the mood after the game, but he still enjoyed his FCF debut.
“It looks like I’m super defeated, but I still had a lot of fun,” he said. “It was the most fun I’ve had in a while.”
Manziel looked more like “Johnny Football” on his first snap, when he fired from the left side and hit two defenders while turning with the end zone in sight. But he was eventually knocked over from within the 5-yard line.
“Do you see me getting caught from behind too?” he said. “Times have changed. We are definitely in 2021.”
Manziel was fired twice, including once in the end zone for security. His touchdown race came in a sort of read zone, keeping the ball to himself and entering two meters away.
“We are having a lot of fun,” he said. “This league is fun and everyone here is having fun, so let’s keep improving.”