Johnny Manziel could resurrect his professional football career north of the border.
The Canadian Football League would be open to welcoming Johnny Football into the league should he decide to head to the Great White North to begin his comeback.
The Browns cut the former Heisman Trophy winner back in March amid his downward spiral and partying. Manziel's off-field activities only got worse once his NFL job was lost as rumors of rampant drug use and videos of him drinking heavily surfaced on a near daily basis.
Despite his issues, Manziel has vowed to clean up his act to return to the NFL, but he'll have to find a team willing to take a risk on him. If he can't find an NFL team, the CFL would welcome him aboard -- even if the commissioner didn't necessarily entertain the thought, but didn't dispute it either.
"We try not to speculate on situations like that, and I really can't speculate too much on hypotheticals," CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge told ESPN. "But I can tell you that what's paramount to us is ensuring the success of an athlete, while at the same time preserving and promoting the integrity of the league and the game."
If Manziel did opt for a season in the CFL, he's on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats negotiation list, so they'd have the first opportunity to sign him. Orridge said as long as teams are willing to take a chance on potential players, he's fine with the idea of someone like Manziel landing in the CFL.
"I rely primarily on the assessment of the team," Orridge said. "It is their charge to evaluate the talent and to bring that talent forward. To be candid, if there is a situation that we believe warrants additional input, we certainly want to provide that to the team. We're obviously charged with making sure that the integrity of the league and the integrity of our brand is perpetuated."
A CFL career for Manziel may have to wait since they're entering Week 11 of the season, but it could be a good place for him to prove he's committed to acting professional. It could also potentially open the door for a return to the NFL.
Manziel, 23, has had several issues staying away from the party scene and was also recently indicted by a Dallas jury for a domestic incident with his ex-girlfriend, model Colleen Crowley.
Despite his many issues - which also include him getting dropped two agents this offseason -- Manziel is adamant that he plans on staying sober to pursue a return to the NFL.
Nevertheless, a friend recently admitted that Manziel acknowledged he hit "rock bottom," though he was still seen partying recently.
Maybe a trip up north is just what he needs.
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