Despite his brief 2-year career, Johnny Manziel undoubtedly left an unforgettable mark in NFL history with his infamous antics, both on and off the field. Now playing for the FCF Zappers, the 31-year-old Manziel is ready to move on and put his controversial past behind him.
However, as his story was recently featured in a Netflix sports documentary, Untold, more people have become interested in learning more about “Johnny Football.” If you’re in the same boat, you’re exactly where you should be.
Who is Johnny Manziel? What is his net worth in 2024? What is he doing now? Below, let me answer all your burning questions about the controversial athlete called football’s Charlie Sheen.
What Is Johnny Manziel’s Net Worth?
As the first freshman to win a Heisman, it’s certainly not surprising that Johnny Manziel earned considerable wealth from his brief NFL career.
According to recent reports, the prodigious football player enjoys a net worth of over $1 million in 2024.
In his time in the NFL, experts estimate the all-time earnings of the former Cleveland Browns QB to be around $18 million.
Career Earnings
The Cleveland Browns initially offered Manziel a four-year rookie contract worth $8.2 million. This deal included a massive signing payout of $4.3 million.
Because of his talent on the field, experts projected Manziel to earn at least $100 million from endorsements and salary throughout his career.
However, merely two seasons into his Browns contract, Manziel suffered from various controversies and issues that led to his being cut off in March 2016.
Due to the severe allegations that include substance abuse, Manziel couldn’t play out his four-year contract with the Browns, reducing his earnings considerably.
The Cleveland Browns ended up paying Johnny Manziel only $7.7 million in salary, half a million short of his initial contract.
Endorsement Earnings
Aside from his salary, Manziel also made over $10 million from brand endorsements, particularly with Nike. Before entering the NFL, he signed a multimillion-dollar contract to endorse Nike.
Unfortunately, he was later dropped off due to the string of controversies associated with his name. The company officially dropped Manziel from its payroll in April 2016.
He also briefly endorsed McDonald’s, Nissan, and Panini in his two years in the NFL. Under Armour and New Balance, two of America’s giant sportswear brands, he tried to get Manziel for endorsements.
Early Life & Career
In real life, Johnny Manziel, Jonathan Paul Manziel, was born on December 6, 1992. He was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, USA, with his parents, Michelle and Paul Manziel, and his little sister, Meri.
High School Career
The young Johnny Manziel was incredibly talented in sports. Reports show he excelled in football, basketball, golf, and baseball.
Manziel attended Tivvy High School in Kerrville, Texas, as a teen. He was a famous football and baseball athlete, earning the respect and admiration of his peers.
He earned several accolades as a high school athlete.
He was named the San Antonio Express-News Offensive Player of the Year, National High School Coaches Association Senior Athlete of the Year in Football, and won a “Parade” All-American award.
College Career
Due to his prodigious talent on the field, several schools, including Colorado State, Iowa State, Stanford, and more, attempted to recruit Manziel.
After graduating high school, Manziel accepted a scholarship offer from A&M University. There, he played as a quarterback, replacing Ryan Tannehill.
His name started to gain much attention when Archie Manning’s total offense record while playing against Arkansas, a record unbeaten for over 40 years.
Continuing to perform well on the field, he later appeared on Heisman’s Watch list after leading the A&M team to a victory against a highly-rated Alabama team.
In less than one year, A&M’s donations reached an all-time high of over $140 million, which they used to upgrade athletic facilities.
But he didn’t stop there.
He became the first-ever freshman to break records by passing for 3,000 and rushing for 1,000 yards in one season, a record only achieved by four other professional football players.
Manziel, as if unsatisfied, made history again by winning the Davey O’Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy as a freshman.
Professional Career
Due to his top-notch performance, Manziel was drafted into the NFL in 2014. He decided to forego his junior season with A&M University and joined the Cleveland Browns as the 22nd overall pick.
Unfortunately, his NFL career wasn’t as smooth sailing as high school or college.
In his rookie season, Manziel was fined a hefty sum of $12,000 for his inappropriate gestures after losing to the Washington Redskins. It also led to his being replaced by Brian Hoyer as the starting quarterback for the regulars.
Another controversy emerged in 2015 that led to his demotion to third-string quarterback. Manziel was caught partying in a nightclub on video, which quickly spread on the internet.
Seemingly unfazed, he also apparently lied to his team about where and when the video was shot and convinced witnesses to lie on his behalf.
However, it was a domestic violence accusation that led the Browns to sever ties with the former Aggies star. Manziel’s ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, accused him of domestic violence and assault.
During his two years with the Browns, he contributed seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Johnny Manziel Fabricates Family Oil Empire Story
Johnny Manziel certainly is a polarizing figure riddled with controversies. He was also outspoken and never shied away from revealing past issues surrounding his career.
Although his name brought in millions for A&M University, the NCAA’s rules maintained that college athletes can’t earn anything from their name or image.
The policy left Manziel feeling dissatisfied.
“I was tired of not having any money,” he confessed in Untold: Johnny Football. After seeing $45 million #2 Adidas jerseys being sold (his jersey number), “I had a bone to pick,” Manziel added.
His dissatisfaction led to him and his best friend, Natan Fitch, concocting a plan to make more money.
In an interview with Barstool Sports in 2021, Manziel revealed they earned over $33,0000 from autographs during his freshman season in Texas. Their escapades became more frequent, which led to the NCAA’s investigations.
When rumors about his family’s oil empire started spreading on the internet, they jumped on the wagon and tried to create a myth surrounding his money-spending to avoid getting caught.
Manziel was later suspended for half a game due to the incident.
Final Thoughts
While Johnny Manziel’s fame was short-lived, no one can deny his talent on the field. Breaking records, earning millions, and enjoying a net worth of $1 million, he’s certainly a figure football fans won’t forget easily.
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