Fansided

Johnny Manziel under investigation for CFL workout

By Phil Naegely

May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel makes his first appearance in court for his misdemeanor assault charge at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel makes his first appearance in court for his misdemeanor assault charge at the Frank Crowley Courts Building. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Johnny Manziel is the focus of a CFL investigation after allegedly participating in an illegal workout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Despite not playing football this past season, Johnny Manziel continues to make headlines. This time around the Canadian Football League is looking into the former college football star’s alleged participation in a workout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. However, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats currently hold Manziel’s CFL rights, so any potential workout or participation with another CFL team would have to go through them.

According to TMZ Sports, Manziel participated in a January workout with the Roughriders. Saskatchewan denies any such event happened. Yet, the CFL is wise to look open up an investigation despite the team pleading innocence.

The league needs to leave no stone unturned during its investigation. There’s a reason why rules are in place and teams hold rights to certain players. If Saskatchewan is found to have broken these rules by having Manziel in for a workout, then there could be some serious punishments. Hamilton would most likely benefit as well since they hold Manziel’s rights as well.

Manziel has been itching to return to football. Earlier this month, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback mentioned he’d voluntarily take a drug test in an attempt to draw interest from NFL teams. He was reinstated by the NFL back in November.

It would be wise for Manziel to consider all options to play football. While the CFL has various rules that are different than the NFL, it’s still a competitive league to play in. Also, ESPN has television rights to some CFL games throughout the season as well. If Manziel were to give the CFL a chance, then ESPN would definitely try to broadcast as many Manziel games as possible.

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Manziel in the CFL would be intriguing. However, for now, Manziel is still without a suitor at either the NFL or CFL level. It’s something to surely follow as 2017 progresses and whether the former Heisman winner and first round pick can resume his playing career.

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