On Wednesday, former first-round pick Johnny Manziel signed with the Fan Controlled Football. The league is owned by Project Fanchise, who are the former owners of the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles and the Colorado Crush of the Indoor Football League. The Screaming Eagles fans were able to pick the front office, coaches, and players using the FANchise app on their smartphones. During the games, fans could pick a play, and whatever play received the most votes was the play the team ran.
It's official. We have signed Johnny Manziel. #PowerToTheFans @JManziel2 — Fan Controlled Football (@fcflio) December 30, 2020
FCF Co-Founder Sohrob Farudi statement on Manziel said, “We could not be more excited to have Johnny Manziel join the FCF. To have one of the most talented and exciting players in the history of college football is a historic moment for the FCF, and for our fans who will have the opportunity to call the plays for Manziel.”
The 28-year-old from Tyler, TX, played college football at Texas A&M. He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. He led the Aggies to beat the Oklahoma Sooners at the 2013 Cotton Bowl. Manziel left after his junior year and was drafted 22nd by the Cleveland Browns. His personal struggles led him to being released by the Browns on March 11th, 2016
Two years later, he would join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. He was only with the Tiger-Cats for six weeks before being traded on July 22nd to the Montreal Alouettes. In 2019, the CFL ordered the Alouettes to release Manziel. The team released Manziel on February 27th. Later that year, he would sign with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. He suffered a concussion on March 30th against the Orlando Apollos. Three days later, the AAF folded.
The Fan Controlled League has been in the works since 2017. The new league will feature seven on seven football that is determined by the fans. The FLF will feature four teams with teams called the Glacier Boyz, owned by 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and YouTuber Deestroying. The Zappers are owned by New York Mets pitcher Trevor May and Bob Menery. Former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch and current AEW wrestler Miro own the Beasts, and Wild Aces are owned by LA Chargers running-back Austin Ekeler and former IGN Editor Greg Miller.
The new league will debut in February 2021, with their games being streamed on Twitch. The FCF will allow fans able to pick the coaches, players, and plays. Right now, the FCF is allowing fans to pick the rules of the game, team names, and logo designs for jerseys.
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