After a lengthy examination process, Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie informed former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel that he has been approved for a CFL contract, the league announced on Thursday.
Ambrosie also informed the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who own the rights to Manziel's contract, that the former Heisman winner is eligible to play.
After Manziel had talks with the Tiger-Cats last summer, Ambrosie initiated a review process to determine whether the embattled quarterback would be eligible to play in the CFL. Now that the vetting process has concluded, the Tiger-Cats have to offer Manziel a contract or relinquish his rights.
According to the CFL's statement, Manziel's eligibility process included: "An ongoing assessment by an independent expert on the issue of violence against women, a review by legal counsel, and an in-person interview of Mr. Manziel conducted by (Ambrosie)."
After a 2016 domestic violence charge against Manziel was dismissed, the former first-round pick was required to pass an anger management class and participate in a substance-abuse program. He was released by the Browns in March 2016.
The CFL statement added: "Mr. Manziel has been required to meet a number of conditions set by the league. ... Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible. These conditions, while extensive and exacting, remain confidential.”
Ambrosie said in a mid-December interview with ESPN that Manziel "represented himself incredibly well" in their meeting in September.
