Johnny Manziel

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Wild Aces vs. Glacier Boyz Set for 2021 FCF Championship; Manziel's Zappers Out

Mar 14, 2021
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws against Notre Dame in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois (12) throws against Notre Dame in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Glacier Boyz and Wild Aces advanced to the Fan Controlled Football championship game in improbable fashion Saturday night, taking down two favorites in the semifinals.

Zappers quarterback Johnny Manziel suffered an undisclosed injury in the first half of a 32-6 loss to the Wild Aces. Despite the talent of Josh Gordon and quarterback Logan Marchi, the Zappers struggled to put points on the board.

It was an equally rough night for the top-seeded team in Fan Controlled Football. The Beasts had been the most electric team all year, going 3-1 this season until suffering a stunning upset to the last-place Glacier Boyz, 38-20, on Saturday.

The Beasts and Zappers will now face off in a third-place game next Saturday ahead of The People's Championship between the Wild Aces and Glacier Boyz.

The Wild Aces took a 16-0 lead into halftime as Manziel looked a bit rusty after missing the last two weeks following dental surgery and Marchi made some uncharacteristic mistakes.

None was bigger than a pick-six Marchi tossed with only seconds remaining in the first half, forcing a Zappers team already known for its passing game to shorten its playbook even more in the final frame. After the Wild Aces scored on the opening possession after intermission, the Zappers put Braden Smith in at quarterback down 24-0 only for him to take a crushing sack on his first snap before the team got stopped at the goal line a few plays later.

The Wild Aces took off on a 48-yard touchdown run on their first play after the goal-line stand to go up 32-0 and all but solidify their spot in the title game. The only bright spot for the Zappers proved to be a last-second touchdown pass from Marchi to Gordon to avoid the shutout.

It was a similarly shocking result in the first game of the night, too.

The Beasts' QB duo of TJ Edwards and Quinton Flowers finally proved fallible with the season on the line after scoring in bunches over the past four weeks. The 20 points tallied Saturday was the fewest they scored all year. The 38 allowed was the second-most the Beasts gave up all season.

Led by former Florida State star Deondre Francois, the Glacier Boyz booked themselves a trip to The People's Championship. Like everything else in FCF, fans voted on what to name the league's title game.

The Glazier Boyz opened up a 14-6 lead at halftime and poured on the points late in the second half to stun the Beasts. After the Beasts tied it up 14 minutes into the final frame, the Glacier Boyz again took control with Francios darting into the end zone to seal the win with 23 seconds left.

It's by far the biggest upset of the season in the FCF, and the Glacier Boyz couldn't wait to gloat over it.

They'll now have to sustain that momentum next week against another underdog team trying to capture the title.

Josh Gordon Snags FCF Hail Mary as Zappers Beat Beasts Despite Manziel Injury

Mar 7, 2021
En esta foto del 15 de diciembre de 2019, Josh Gordon, receptor de los Seahawks de Seattle, disputa un encuentro ante los Panthers de Carolina (AP Foto/Brian Blanco)
En esta foto del 15 de diciembre de 2019, Josh Gordon, receptor de los Seahawks de Seattle, disputa un encuentro ante los Panthers de Carolina (AP Foto/Brian Blanco)

Josh Gordon's arrival in the Fan Controlled Football league spelled the end of an undefeated season for the previously untamed Beasts.

The newest member of the Zappers hauled in a 30-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass as time expired to give his team a 32-26 victory over the Beasts as both Week 4 and the FCF regular season came to a close.

Gordon finished his debut with four catches for 70 yards with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in an electric performance.

Even with Zappers quarterback Johnny Manziel sitting out a second consecutive week following dental surgery, Gordon would not be denied the game-winning score. With two seconds on the clock, Braden Smith tossed up a jump ball that Gordon initially bobbled as two Beasts defenders were draped all over him. Gordon just wouldn't be denied.

Three weeks after the Zappers (2-2) fell to the Beasts (3-1), 48-44, Gordon made sure his teammates got their revenge.

With Logan Marchi and Smith taking turns under center, the Zappers opened up a 6-0 lead as Gordon scored the first touchdown on his second target of the game. Beasts quarterback Quinton Flowers wasted little time evening things up, tossing a 40-yard touchdown to Troy Evans on the Beasts' first offensive snap.

That gave way to a consistent back-and-forth in the first half with both teams scoring on each of their possessions in the first 20 minutes. A pass from Smith to Travis Toivonen with 11 seconds left in the first frame gave the Zappers an 18-12 lead heading into the break.

Both clubs seemed to settle down a bit in the second half. After scoring five touchdowns combined in the first half, the final 20 minutes saw the Zappers hang onto the ball for nearly 17 minutes of possession time. If that wasn't troubling enough for the Beasts, an apparent hamstring injury forced Flowers—arguably the FCF MVP through four weeks—to the sideline with the game on the line.

Instead, backup TJ Edwards came on in relief of Flowers after the Beasts picked off Marchi with 3:44 left in regulation and quickly moved his team into the red zone—a bit too quickly.

Tailback Quinn Porter dove into the end zone to tie the game at 26 with 15 seconds remaining—more than enough time for Smith to take a few deep shots before regulation expired. After the first few pass attempts failed, Smith and Gordon finally hooked up for the game-winning touchdown.

Gordon said he came to the FCF to make some plays and have some fun ahead of his debut. He did all that and delivered a victory to the Zappers as they prepare for next week's playoffs.

FCF 2021 Playoff Schedule, Potential Matchups, Preview and Predictions

Mar 7, 2021
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) sets up against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks are bringing back wide receiver Josh Gordon on a one-year deal even as the talented pass catcher awaits reinstatement from the NFL after his latest suspension. Gordon’s signing was confirmed on Twitter by his agent David Canter on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, just two days before the Seahawks must cut their roster to 53 players. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon (10) sets up against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Seahawks are bringing back wide receiver Josh Gordon on a one-year deal even as the talented pass catcher awaits reinstatement from the NFL after his latest suspension. Gordon’s signing was confirmed on Twitter by his agent David Canter on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, just two days before the Seahawks must cut their roster to 53 players. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco, File)

Former NFL star wide receiver Josh Gordon capped the inaugural Fan Controlled Football regular season with a Hail Mary touchdown catch to guide the Zappers to a 32-26 win over the previously undefeated Beasts on Saturday.

Gordon finished with four catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns in his FCF debut. His presence makes the Zappers a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming playoffs, even if the team finished just 2-2 during the regular season.

Despite the loss, the Beasts finished with an FCF-best 3-1 record to earn first place.

Like many aspects of this league, the postseason format is quite unique. As clarified during the Twitch broadcast, the Beasts will get to choose their semifinal playoff opponent, leaving the other two teams to face off against each other. Semifinal coverage will begin Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FCF's Twitch, followed by a championship game the following week.

The Beasts will have the option to choose from the 2-2 Wild Aces, 1-3 Glacier Boyz or Zappers.

On paper, the Glacier Boyz performed the worst, but rosters have been changing before every game as the result of FCF's weekly player drafts.

However, rosters should appear most similar to the Week 4 iterations following the latest draft, with the FCF website explaining the parameters for the postseason: "With Week 4 action scheduled for Saturday night, all players drafted on Wednesday night will remain on their respective teams until the conclusion of the championship slated for Week 6 (players can be added while defense and O-line may be shifted due to playoff seedings)."

Each team also has numerous franchise-tagged players added as the season has gone along. Gordon is one such player on the Zappers, who also have ex-NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, although he has sat out the last two weeks due to injury.

It's hard to imagine that the Beasts will pick the Zappers after they just took them down. The Zappers look like the team to beat after a resounding victory that included the debut of Gordon, who made a big difference early with a touchdown catch and a two-point conversion later on:

The Zappers also feature Anthony Jones, who added a pair of touchdowns Saturday to the three he had entering the game for five total in four games.

The Beasts aren't slouches either thanks largely to quarterback Quinton Flowers, who has been the league's top player thanks in part to his 11 touchdowns.

However, he missed some time late after suffering an apparent hamstring injury down the stretch. His replacement, TJ Edwards II, did well, however, so the Beasts could be well-set at quarterback either way.

The Beasts will also get a playoff boost with the addition of ex-NFL running back Robert Turbin before the playoffs. They appear to still be a top-two FCF team.

Ultimately, the guess here is a championship rematch of the epic Week 4 matchup, with Gordon once again proving to be the difference to give the Zappers the first-ever FCF championship.

Josh Gordon Discusses Joining Johnny Manziel, FCF's Zappers Ahead of Debut

Mar 6, 2021
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, left, watches form the sidelines with Josh Gordon during a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, left, watches form the sidelines with Josh Gordon during a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Nearly seven years since Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon were teammates on the Cleveland Browns, the quarterback-wideout duo reconnected as teammates with the Fan Controlled Football's Zappers on Saturday night. 

Gordon was suspended throughout the 2020 NFL season and was unable to make it back onto the field. The FCF—and Manziel in particular—offered to make his spring feature more snaps than his fall did.

"Johnny hit me up and they told me, 'Do you want to play football right now?'" Gordon said. "It's offseason for NFL, as opposed to sitting in the house this whole time I was like, 'Nah, I want to come out here and make some plays and have some fun.'"

With elite speed, Gordon has long been able to burn defenders anytime he steps onto a field. The FCF may be the first league that changes that. With teams playing on a 50-yard field, there's less room for Gordon to create separation from cornerbacks covering him.

The Zappers begin the playoffs next week, giving Gordon just one week to figure out how to translate his skills to smaller field than he's used to. For a league intent on creating highlights every play, Gordon and Manziel certainly fit in.  

FCF 2021 Results: Johnny Manziel Sits with Injury; Beasts Now 3-0 After Week 3

Feb 28, 2021
Tampa Bay Vipers' Quinton Flowers (9) runs the ball up the field during an XFL football game against the New York Guardians, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Guardians won 23-3. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Tampa Bay Vipers' Quinton Flowers (9) runs the ball up the field during an XFL football game against the New York Guardians, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Guardians won 23-3. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

Week 3 of Fan Controlled Football began with the news that Johnny Manziel would be unable to suit up for the Zappers and ended with his team earning its first victory of the season anyway.

Manziel was sidelined after undergoing emergency dental surgery, leading the Zappers to turn to backup quarterback Braden Smith, who delivered with a game-winning drive to defeat the Wild Aces, 34-30, as time expired.

Smith took the ball with five seconds remaining and the Wild Aces (1-2) leading by two, dropped back to his own 3-yard line and delivered a strike to wideout Travis Toivonen in the end zone for a walk-off touchdown.

Toivonen was hit with the franchise tag by the Zappers (1-2) earlier in the week in a move that immediately paid off. That the Zappers nearly blew a 22-8 halftime lead didn't matter as much as the fact that they were able to rally back and avoid falling to 0-3 on the season.

Smith proved more than capable of leading the offense with Manziel injured and may have earned some snaps down the line as the Zappers continue to build out their franchise. Having two proven quarterbacks gives the team plenty of options moving ahead.

The win was just the first of two epic finishes Saturday as the Beasts improved to 3-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the league thanks to some late heroics by Quinn Porter. The tailback dove into the end zone with no time left on the clock to secure a 28-22 victory over the Glacier Boyz (1-2).

Just because there was no time remaining in regulation didn't mean the two teams would let things calm down. They continued with trash talk on social media, riling up their fanbases even more.

Beasts star Quinton Flowers continues to look like the best quarterback in the league as he used both his arms and legs to disrupt the Glacier Boyz. Flowers found his recently franchise-tagged teammate, wideout Troy Evans, for an early touchdown that put the Beasts up 8-0 early, but it was one of the team's Week 3 draft picks who proved to be one of the biggest difference-makers Saturday.

Wideout Christian Saulsberry was the No. 4 pick of the first round Wednesday, rejoining a Beasts team on which he tallied three catches last week for 29 yards and a touchdown. The selection proved a wise decision, as Saulsberry hauled in the game-tying touchdown with 33 seconds remaining.

With things knotted at 22 and the ball on the goal line, Flowers tossed the snap over to Porter to steal the win.

The Beasts are not only the team to beat in FCF—but also the only club to beat every other team in the league. One franchise has fan-controlled football figured out. The rest are working to catch up.

Johnny Manziel to Miss Time in FCF After Surgery on Undisclosed Injury

Feb 24, 2021
FILE- In this March 24, 2019, file photo, Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel warms up before an AAF football game against the Birmingham Iron in Memphis, Tenn. After a self-destructing pro career that never close to matching his enormous potential, Manziel says he's done with the game that gave him his catchy moniker (Johnny Football), even as he's dabbling in a fledgling, fan-controlled arena league that was set to begin play Saturday night in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
FILE- In this March 24, 2019, file photo, Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel warms up before an AAF football game against the Birmingham Iron in Memphis, Tenn. After a self-destructing pro career that never close to matching his enormous potential, Manziel says he's done with the game that gave him his catchy moniker (Johnny Football), even as he's dabbling in a fledgling, fan-controlled arena league that was set to begin play Saturday night in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

The biggest name in the new Fan Controlled Football league will not take the field this week. 

On Wednesday, the league announced former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel will not play because he is undergoing surgery Thursday. 

"FCF is pro football re-imagined for the modern digital world," the league's website explains. "Real games played in a single, high-tech studio arena and streamed live on Twitch. Oh, and you call the plays. Scroll down the page to read all about this exciting new brand of football that puts the fans in the middle of it all."

Manziel plays for the Zappers, and his team lost its opening games to the Beasts 48-44 and its second game to the Glacier Boyz 30-28.

It is scheduled to face the Wild Aces on Saturday.

It wasn't that long ago Manziel was one of the most notable football players at any level. He won the Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M and entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

However, he never lived up to expectations in the NFL.

He appeared in 14 games for the Browns during the 2014 and 2015 campaigns and finished with seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions. The production surely wasn't what the Browns had in mind when they used a first-round pick on the collegiate star.

Manziel also played in the Canadian Football League and the Alliance of American Football following his NFL career.

Johnny Manziel Scores 2 TDs as Zappers Lose to Glacier Boyz in FCF Week 2

Feb 20, 2021
FILE- In this March 24, 2019, file photo, Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel warms up before an AAF football game against the Birmingham Iron in Memphis, Tenn. After a self-destructing pro career that never close to matching his enormous potential, Manziel says he's done with the game that gave him his catchy moniker (Johnny Football), even as he's dabbling in a fledgling, fan-controlled arena league that was set to begin play Saturday night in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
FILE- In this March 24, 2019, file photo, Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel warms up before an AAF football game against the Birmingham Iron in Memphis, Tenn. After a self-destructing pro career that never close to matching his enormous potential, Manziel says he's done with the game that gave him his catchy moniker (Johnny Football), even as he's dabbling in a fledgling, fan-controlled arena league that was set to begin play Saturday night in suburban Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

Johnny Manziel threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, but his Zappers fell 30-28 in overtime to the Glacier Boyz on Saturday during the second week of Fan Controlled Football action.

Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and ex-Cleveland Browns quarterback, opened the scoring by finding tight end Chris Bazile for a 12-yard touchdown and an early 6-0 lead.

The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Manziel almost immediately got another chance to lead the Zappers after the defense forced a safety.

Manziel went back to work, converting a first down before running for a 28-yard score to give the Zappers a 14-0 edge.

The Glacier Boyz got one score back, but Logan Marchi, who is splitting time at quarterback with Manziel, tossed a long touchdown pass to Travis Toivonen before halftime to give his team a 22-8 lead heading into the break.

The second half was all Glacier Boyz, who scored on their opening possession and got another touchdown on a Fred Conyers scoop-and-score with the Zappers facing a 2nd-and-goal from the 2-yard line. A two-point conversation after the second touchdown tied the game at 22:

Marchi and Manziel split time in the second half, but the Zappers could not put any more points on the board.

Neither could the Glacier Boyz, and the game went into overtime.

Once there, the Zappers scored a touchdown on a four-yard run from Anthony Jones, but the two-point try failed.

The Glacier Boyz responded with a touchdown of their own off a 10-yard Quinn Porter run, and they won the game off a successful two-point catch by Andrew Jamiel.

Manziel and the Zappers, who fell to 0-2, will take the field next on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET against the Wild Aces. The game will be broadcast on Twitch.  

FCF 2021 Results: Johnny Manziel Scores TD Week 1 as Wild Aces, Beasts Earn Wins

Feb 14, 2021
FILE - In this April 7, 2018, file photo, former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares for a developmental Spring League football game in Austin, Texas. Manziel is heading to the Canadian Football League, the latest move for the Heisman Trophy winner whose NFL career was a bust with the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback said on Twitter on Saturday, May 19, 2018, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
FILE - In this April 7, 2018, file photo, former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) prepares for a developmental Spring League football game in Austin, Texas. Manziel is heading to the Canadian Football League, the latest move for the Heisman Trophy winner whose NFL career was a bust with the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback said on Twitter on Saturday, May 19, 2018, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Fan Controlled Football roared to life Saturday as the new pro league's opening night gave viewers a chance not only to collaborate on building teams but also call plays in real time.

As the video game-esque league gets underway, one thing remains clear: It was built for nonstop highlights.

Week 1 saw the Wild Aces take the inaugural game 30-22 over the Glacier Boys, while quarterback Johnny Manziel and the Zappers fell to the Beasts 48-44 on an epic final drive.

The former Heisman Trophy winner pulled out every trick he had on the last play of regulation, scrambling around the field before hitting an open receiver only to see him taken out at the goal line as time expired. For a league looking to satisfy football fans one week after the NFL ended its season, this certainly qualified.

Manziel was electric all game as the Zappers' franchise quarterback, running in a touchdown early on while fans called on him to throw the deep ball on multiple occasions.

https://twitter.com/fcflio/status/1360789449999810563

The seven-on-seven league features a few key differences from other football organizations that make watching every play imperative for fans. For starters, aside from predetermined franchise players like Manziel, all teams are redrafted every Wednesday night. Even if a team is playing poorly, it's incumbent on its fans to continue scouting all athletes on the field to prepare for the following week's draft.

More than a few players improved their stock heading into Week 2.

Beasts quarterback Quinton Flowers is certainly one of the top names to watch after his play Saturday. The former USF star showed off his arm strength and improvisation on multiple plays, becoming one of the breakout stars of Week 1.

However, Flowers was very nearly upstaged by one of the Beasts co-owners, as former NFL star Marshawn Lynch attempted to suit up and take a few snaps.

Lynch jumped onto the FCF Twitch broadcast and admitted, in NSFW terms, that watching the game made him want to get out there. When the hosts began laughing, Lynch made clear he was serious and left to go suit up. Despite getting in pads, the league determined just before kickoff that he would not be taking the field.

With fans in control of the rules as well as the plays, it's possible the league creates a path for Lynch to take a few snaps in the future.

For now, he'll just celebrate his first victory with the Beasts from the stands.

Johnny Manziel Scores TD as Zappers Lose to Beasts 48-44 in FCF Week 1

Feb 14, 2021
Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrates as he leaves the field after a Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express AAF football game, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. against the Memphis won in overtime 31-25. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrates as he leaves the field after a Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express AAF football game, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. against the Memphis won in overtime 31-25. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL draft pick Johnny Manziel made his return to the gridiron for the Zappers of the Fan Controlled Football league on Saturday.

Manziel provided numerous highlights for the indoor football league, spinning and juking for a 38-yard rush on his first touch and later running the ball in for a two-yard score. However, the Zappers fell to the Beasts, 48-44.

The former Cleveland Brown signal-caller got his FCF career off to a great start with a 38-yard run that fell just short of the end zone on the league's 50-yard field in Duluth, Georgia.

https://twitter.com/fcflio/status/1360789449999810563

Manziel handed off to Anthony Jones to finish the drive with a touchdown.

The former Texas A&M star took care of business himself on the Zappers' next drive, rushing the ball in from a few yards out for a score.

However, the Zappers struggled offensively in the second half, with Manziel feeling the heat on a sack at one point:

Manziel split time with quarterback Logan Marchi, who accounted for three touchdowns.

The Beasts were led by quarterback Quinton Flowers, who spent time with the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers and played collegiately for USF.

Flowers' Beasts took a 48-36 lead late before the Zappers scored a late touchdown (and two-point conversion) with five seconds left.

After the game, Manziel appeared to be in good spirits despite the loss:

Manziel's return to organized football occurred two years after he made a pair of brief appearances for the Alliance of American Football's Memphis Express. He also appeared in 11 games for the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes in 2018.

His NFL career ended after eight career starts over two seasons, with him completing 57 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Johnny Manziel Not Treating FCF as 'Stepping Stone' in Return to Football

Feb 11, 2021
Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrates as he leaves the field after a Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express AAF football game, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. against the Memphis won in overtime 31-25. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Memphis Express quarterback Johnny Manziel celebrates as he leaves the field after a Birmingham Iron at Memphis Express AAF football game, Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. against the Memphis won in overtime 31-25. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Johnny Manziel may be back playing football, but he's not back back. 

Now the franchise quarterback for the Fan Controlled Football league's Zappers, the former college football star is using the six-week season to have fun on the gridiron. He's not plotting a full comeback. 

“I’m not treating this as a stepping stone to get back into football,” Manziel told Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “I always have the feeling of chucking the ball around with my boys in the backyard. It’s a fast-paced game, a lot of points, some big hits, from what I’ve seen the past couple days of practice.”

The FCF is played seven-on-seven using an indoor, 50-yard field with fans on Twitch calling in the plays. There are no special teams—no punts or field goals, either—and every team starts at its own 10-yard line. Instead of a point-after attempt following touchdowns, an extra point will be decided by a one-on-one battle between a wideout and defensive back.

Defenses are drafted as a unit, and the league uses a running clock.

Here's how the drafts work, per the FCF website:

"Every Wednesday on Twitch you will be able to vote in a live player draft to build your team's roster. Teams get two franchise players [selected by Team Owners] and fans get one keeper after the first game. The rest of the guys are back in the player pool for the draft each week."

Further rules and information available via FCF.io.

The FCF is the fourth pro football organization Manziel has played for, including his stints in the NFL and Canadian Football League.

He's no stranger to startup football leagues, either. The last time Manziel played professional football came in 2019 as a member of the Alliance of American Football's Memphis Express. That league lasted just eight games before declaring for bankruptcy in April 2019.

The former Texas A&M quarterback completed five of eight passes for 61 yards and an interception in two games with the Express.

Playing opportunities have been limited for the former Heisman Trophy winner. Once a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Manziel agreed to undergo counseling as a part of a plea deal in 2016 after his former girlfriend said he struck her multiple times.

The Browns had released him earlier that year, and he would have been suspended for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy if he had returned to the NFL.

"I think I learned a lot of lessons that I never would've learned if my career kept rising to what it could've been," Manziel said. "It's always cool for me to support guys who are still grinding it out and still dream. I try to be the voice of reason: Even though this might be different than what you expected, you still have a position here to get film and maybe it gets you the opportunity to further your football career."

Now 28 years old, the quarterback is back on the field again. He's just not looking to make a full-time career of it. 

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