Johnny Manziel is a former American football quarterback who rose to national fame at Texas A&M University. Known as “Johnny Football,” he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. His ability to escape defenders and create opportunities as both a passer and runner made him a standout college player. Two years later, the Cleveland Browns selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft.
His professional career proved much shorter than his college success suggested. After two seasons in Cleveland, Manziel continued playing in other leagues before moving into interviews, documentary appearances, and sports media. His story now includes both his achievements on the field and his own reflections on life in the public eye. Here is a closer look at his background, career, relationships, and work beyond football.
Johnny Manziel – Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Johnathan Paul Manziel |
| Known as | Johnny Manziel / Johnny Football |
| Date of birth | December 6, 1992 |
| Age | 33 as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Tyler, Texas, United States |
| Height | 6 feet / approximately 183 cm |
| Profession | Former professional quarterback and podcast host |
| High school | Tivy High School, Kerrville, Texas |
| College | Texas A&M University |
| Parents | Paul and Michelle Manziel |
| Major achievement | 2012 Heisman Trophy |
| NFL team | Cleveland Browns |
| Former spouse | Bre Tiesi |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed |
| @jmanziel2 |
The biographical details above come from official football records, his public account, and reporting on his marriage.
Early Life, Parents, and Education
Johnathan Paul Manziel was born in Tyler, Texas, to Paul and Michelle Manziel. He attended Tivy High School in Kerrville, where his football performances attracted college recruiters. Long before national audiences knew his nickname, he was producing impressive results as a high school quarterback.
During his senior season, Manziel passed for 3,609 yards and 45 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,674 yards and 30 touchdowns, showing the running ability that later became central to his college career. His honors included recognition as a Parade All-American and the National High School Coaches Association Football Player of the Year.
Manziel initially committed to Oregon before switching to Texas A&M in September 2010. He enrolled at A&M in January 2011 and redshirted his first season, meaning he did not compete that year while retaining his playing eligibility. The university’s roster biography listed sports management as his major.
Johnny Manziel’s Age and Height
Johnny Manziel is 33 years old as of October 2026. He was born on December 6, 1992, and will turn 34 on December 6, 2026. His birth date appears in both Texas A&M’s official records and the Heisman Trophy’s biographical material.
His NFL profile lists him at 6 feet tall, equivalent to approximately 183 centimetres.
Manziel was 20 when he received the Heisman Trophy in December 2012. His status as a redshirt freshman sometimes causes confusion: he had already spent a year at Texas A&M, but 2012 was his first season of college competition. That distinction explains how he became the award’s first freshman winner.
Texas A&M Career and Historic Achievements
Manziel’s breakthrough came during Texas A&M’s first season in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2012 regular season, he accumulated 4,600 yards of total offense and helped the Aggies finish 10–2. A defining performance came against top-ranked Alabama, when he led Texas A&M to a 29–24 victory in Tuscaloosa.
The Heisman followed on December 8, 2012. He also received the Davey O’Brien Award and Manning Award, alongside national player-of-the-year recognition. His success came through both passing and rushing, making him difficult to contain when plays broke down.
Including the Cotton Bowl, Manziel finished that season with 3,706 passing yards and 1,410 rushing yards. Those figures differ from his Heisman voting statistics because the bowl game took place after the award presentation. Against Oklahoma, he generated 516 yards of total offense and earned the game’s offensive MVP honor.
He returned in 2013 and passed for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns, adding another 759 yards on the ground. He finished fifth in that year’s Heisman voting before entering the NFL Draft.
NFL Career with the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns selected Manziel with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. His arrival brought a celebrated college quarterback into a professional competition for playing time, but he never established a lasting starting role.
According to Cleveland’s official release announcement, Manziel appeared in 14 games and made eight starts across two seasons. He completed 147 of 258 passes for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also contributed 259 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Most of his passing production came in his second season. During 2015, he threw for 1,500 yards and seven touchdowns while starting six games. Nevertheless, inconsistent performances and off-field problems marked his time with the franchise.
Cleveland waived him on March 11, 2016. His NFL playing career lasted only the 2014 and 2015 seasons, a sharp difference from the success he had achieved at Texas A&M.
Football After Cleveland
Leaving the Browns did not immediately end Manziel’s playing career. In May 2018, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League after the league reviewed his eligibility. He began the season behind starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
Hamilton subsequently traded him to the Montreal Alouettes in July 2018. The move gave him another opportunity to play, although adapting to Canadian football meant learning a different game and joining a new team during the season. His official CFL statistics record 1,290 passing yards, five touchdown passes, and seven interceptions that year.
His later stops included the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football in 2019 and Fan Controlled Football from 2021 to 2022. These appearances extended his career beyond the NFL, but they did not produce another long-term position in the league where Cleveland had drafted him.
Marriage, Relationships, and Personal Life
Manziel began dating Bre Tiesi in 2016, and they became engaged in March 2017. They married in a private ceremony in March 2018 but separated the following year. Their divorce became final in November 2021.
The distinction between their separation and divorce matters: they stopped being a couple in 2019, while their marriage legally ended more than two years later. Manziel subsequently appeared alongside Tiesi during season eight of Selling Sunset.
In April 2024, Manziel and model Josie Canseco publicly confirmed their relationship through photographs shared from the Stagecoach festival. That confirmation documents their relationship at the time; it does not establish his present relationship status. His current relationship status is Not publicly confirmed in the reliable sources reviewed for this article.
Manziel has also spoken publicly about personal struggles and the adjustment to life after football. In a 2023 interview, he described his football chapter as closed and discussed spending more time with family and playing golf.
Documentary, Media Work, Social Media, and Net Worth
Netflix released Untold: Johnny Football in 2023. The documentary examines Manziel’s rise, the attention surrounding his college career, and the difficulties that followed. It includes accounts from Manziel, family members, coaches, his former friend, and his agent, offering perspectives beyond game footage and public headlines.
His media work also includes Glory Daze, an interview series from Almost Friday Media. The podcast features athletes discussing memorable performances and experiences behind their careers. A June 2025 announcement confirmed its second season, with Maxx Crosby as the opening guest. Earlier guests included Michael Vick, Vince Young, and Greg Oden.
On social media, Manziel uses @jmanziel2 on Instagram and @JManziel2 on X. The podcast also publishes content through its own accounts and his YouTube channel. These provide public outlets for his sports interviews and other updates.
Johnny Manziel’s net worth is Not publicly confirmed. Online estimates do not establish his complete financial position. Previous football earnings, media projects, and commercial partnerships cannot reveal current wealth without verified information about assets, expenses, and liabilities. No specific net-worth figure can therefore be presented here as a confirmed fact.
Conclusion
Johnny Manziel’s biography spans a historic college career, a brief NFL run, further playing opportunities, and a move into sports media. His Heisman Trophy remains a confirmed milestone, while his documentary and interview work show how his public career continued beyond football. Understanding that full timeline gives a clearer picture of the person behind the “Johnny Football” nickname.
FAQs
How old is Johnny Manziel?
Johnny Manziel is 33 as of October 2026. His birthday is December 6, 1992.
How tall is Johnny Manziel?
His official NFL profile lists his height as 6 feet, or approximately 183 cm.
Why is Johnny Manziel famous?
He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012 while playing quarterback for Texas A&M.
Who was Johnny Manziel married to?
He married Bre Tiesi in 2018. They separated in 2019 and finalized their divorce in November 2021.
What is Johnny Manziel’s net worth?
His net worth is Not publicly confirmed. Available estimates should not be treated as verified financial information.
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