By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com
The Memphis Express picked up a new quarterback Saturday. Reports indicate former Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is headed to the Bluff City to continue his football career.
Manziel played in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes last season. After the CFL terminated him for “contravening the agreement which made him eligible to play,” he signed a standard contract with the American Alliance Football League.
When the San Antonio Commanders waived him, he was assigned to the Express.
This season, the Express has utilized former Tennessee Titans QB Zach Mettenberger and former New York Jets QB Christian Hackenberg at the signal caller position. Mettenberger went down with an ankle injury two games ago, and Hackenberg has struggled to gain his footing in the AAF.
After Manziel’s time at Texas A&M, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. As the starting quarterback, he went 2-6 and completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 15 appearances.
In college, Manziel and the Aggies defeated Ole Miss both times they faced the Rebels in 2012 and 2013 in close games.
Manziel and the Express return to action on Sunday as they host the Birmingham Iron at the Liberty Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the NFL Network.
