Is Johnny Manziel Officially Retired in 2024?

By Jason Bolton March 25, 2024 04:58

Johnny Manziel, the former American football quarterback, has had a tumultuous career marked by both on-field achievements and off-field controversies.

Over the years, there have been several instances where Manziel announced his retirement, only to later make a comeback in various football leagues.

In 2024, the question of whether Johnny Manziel is officially retired remains a topic of interest.

Let's delve into the details to provide a comprehensive analysis of Johnny Manziel's retirement status in 2024.

Early Career and NFL Stint

Manziel's rise to stardom began during his college years at Texas A&M University.

As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he made a significant impact in college football, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and breaking numerous NCAA records.

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His college success led to his selection by the Cleveland Browns as the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

But despite some initial success, Manziel's NFL career was marred by inconsistency and off-field controversies, ultimately leading to his release from the Browns after the 2015 season.

Stints in Other Leagues

Following his departure from the NFL, Manziel sought opportunities in other football leagues.

He had brief stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2018, and the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019.

Then, he signed with the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) league in 2020 and played for the Zappers, co-owned by his friend Bob Menery.

Despite his involvement in these leagues, Manziel expressed disinterest in playing any more professional football in the future during a February 2021 interview.

Return to Football in 2022

In March 2022, Manziel announced his return to the FCF for a second season, revealing that he would serve as a player-coach for the 2022 season.

This decision raised questions about his retirement status, as it indicated a renewed commitment to football after previously expressing disinterest in continuing his professional career.

Recent Developments

In March 2024, there were indications of a potential football comeback for Manziel. Reports suggested that the Arena Football League (AFL) was showing interest in recruiting Manziel, with the league's new commissioner expressing a desire to have Manziel join the reformed league.

This development reignited discussions about Manziel's retirement status, as it hinted at the possibility of him returning to competitive football.

Official Statements and Retirement Announcements

Throughout his career, Manziel has made several official statements and retirement announcements, often followed by subsequent returns to football.

Notably, in September 2020, he announced his retirement when asked about potentially playing in the XFL, stating that football was not at the forefront of his mind at that time.

But he didn't completely rule out the possibility of coming out of retirement, indicating a degree of uncertainty surrounding his retirement status.

In light of these developments and Manziel's history of retirement announcements followed by comebacks, it is evident that his retirement status remains ambiguous.

While there have been instances where he expressed disinterest in professional football, his subsequent returns to various leagues indicate a degree of fluidity in his retirement decisions.

All in all

As of 2024, Johnny Manziel's retirement status remains uncertain, with recent reports suggesting potential interest from the Arena Football League.

Given his history of retirement announcements and subsequent comebacks, it is challenging to definitively ascertain whether he is officially retired.

The evolving nature of Manziel's career and his intermittent involvement in football leagues underscore the complexity of determining his retirement status.

Ultimately, only time will reveal whether Johnny Manziel's football journey has truly come to an end.