Sports • Football (American)

Johnny Manziel

Johnny Manziel is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his college career at Texas A&M, where he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Johnny Manziel is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his college career at Texas A&M University, where he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Nicknamed 'Johnny Football,' he was selected 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft and played two seasons in the league. He later played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and Fan Controlled Football.

Early life and college career

Manziel was born in Tyler, Texas, and played college football for Texas A&M University. In 2012, he won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman, becoming the first player in that class to receive the award.

NFL career

Manziel entered the NFL in 2014 when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round of the draft. He played two seasons for the team before leaving the league.

Later professional career

After the NFL, Manziel played in other professional and alternative football leagues, including the Canadian Football League, the Alliance of American Football, and Fan Controlled Football.

Public profile

Manziel became a major sports figure because of his college success, his 'Johnny Football' nickname, and the attention surrounding his brief NFL career.

Key facts

Johnny Manziel was nicknamed 'Johnny Football' during his college career.
He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.
He was selected 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft.
He played two seasons in the NFL with Cleveland.
He later played professionally in the CFL, AAF, and Fan Controlled Football.

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Canadian context

Manziel has a Canadian connection because he played in the Canadian Football League after his NFL career, which may be of interest to Canadian football readers.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Johnny Manziel?

Johnny Manziel is an American former professional football quarterback best known for his college career at Texas A&M and for winning the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

How old is Johnny Manziel?

Johnny Manziel was born on December 6, 1992, which makes him 33 years old as of July 2026.

What happened to Johnny Manziel?

After his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, Manziel played in other leagues including the CFL, AAF, and Fan Controlled Football. Public reports also note personal and legal difficulties after his departure from the NFL.

What is Johnny Manziel's net worth?

A reliable, up-to-date net worth figure was not available in the provided sources. Public estimates vary widely and are not consistently verified.

Did Johnny Manziel play in the NFL?

Yes. He played in the NFL for two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

What team did Johnny Manziel play for?

In the NFL, Johnny Manziel played for the Cleveland Browns.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Manziel
Supports: Birth date, full name, NFL team, two-season NFL career, and later play in the CFL, AAF, and Fan Controlled Football.
Heisman Trophy — https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/johnny-manziel/
Supports: Heisman Trophy win, first freshman to win, and selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/16736/johnny-manziel
Supports: Birth date, position, college, and draft information.
Texas A&M Athletics — https://12thman.com/honors/texas-am-athletic-hall-of-fame/johnny-manziel/322
Supports: Texas A&M career and recognition in the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame.
People — https://people.com/what-happened-to-johnny-manziel-11823045
Supports: Post-NFL career context and mention of personal and legal challenges after leaving the NFL.