Johnny Manziel, famously known as “Johnny Football,” gained fame as the quarterback for Texas A&M University and won the Heisman Trophy in 2012, skyrocketing to stardom early in his career. However, his NFL journey with the Cleveland Browns, beginning in 2014, was marked by both promise and scandal. While he displayed significant talent, his professional career was marred by misconduct and personal issues, ultimately leading to his release in 2016.
After leaving the NFL, Manziel grappled with a series of personal and legal troubles, including a high-profile marriage and subsequent divorce from Selling Sunset star Bre Tiesi. He also made attempts to revive his football career in alternative leagues, including the Canadian Football League and the Alliance of American Football.
Recently, Manziel has been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, embarking on a path to recovery. His post-NFL life has seen him exploring other ventures, including a recent appearance in a reality TV show.
Manziel’s departure from the NFL stemmed from a combination of poor performance and numerous off-field incidents. Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, his time with the Browns was riddled with troubling behavior, including giving an opposing team the middle finger and partying in Las Vegas when he should have been with his team. Additionally, a domestic violence allegation against him in 2016 significantly tarnished his reputation. Following a criminal investigation initiated by Dallas police, he was eventually released by the Browns before facing misdemeanor assault charges, which were later dismissed.
After leaving the NFL, Manziel sought to continue his football career in various leagues. In 2018, he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League but was let go the following year for failing to comply with his contract’s terms. He also played briefly for the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football before the league’s dissolution. Following these attempts, he participated in Fan Controlled Football from 2021 to 2022.
Manziel has prioritized his mental health over the years, candidly discussing his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018, he emphasized the importance of maintaining his mental health to sustain his career and personal life.
Currently, Manziel is not engaged in professional football. He has not signed with any leagues since his time with the Memphis Express. In August 2024, he launched a podcast titled Glory Daze, focusing on stories from iconic athletes.
Previously married to Bre Tiesi, the couple’s relationship was marked by challenges, including allegations of infidelity. They were engaged in March 2017 and married a year later but divorced in 2021.
In August 2023, Manziel was featured in a Netflix documentary, Untold: Johnny Football, which detailed his career. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed a desire to move on from football and focus on personal happiness. Currently residing in Scottsdale, Arizona, Manziel enjoys golfing and spending time with family. Recently, he was spotted with model Josie Canseco at a country music festival and appeared alongside his ex-wife on Selling Sunset, where she assisted him in finding a home in Los Angeles.