The Canadian Football League is ready to approve a contract between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats extended and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, paving the way for the Texas A&M product to join the CFL.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie announced on Thursday afternoon, that the league stood ready to approve Manziel’s deal. However, an obstacle remains in that Manziel still has to come to an agreement with the Tiger-Cats.
According to a release from the CFL:
Since last summer, the Canadian Football League has been engaged in a thorough process to determine the eligibility of Johnny Manziel. This process has been conducted with the cooperation of Mr. Manziel and independent of the team which currently holds his CFL rights, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
It has included an ongoing assessment by an independent expert on the issue of violence against women, a review by legal counsel, and an in-person interview of Mr. Manziel conducted by the commissioner. As well, Mr. Manziel has been required to meet a number of conditions set by the league.
As a result of this process, the commissioner has now informed Mr. Manziel and the Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated. The process that led to this decision does, however, continue. Mr. Manziel has been informed he must continue to meet a number of conditions in order to remain eligible. These conditions, while extensive and exacting, remain confidential.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released a statement saying,“We appreciate the CFL office and Commissioner Randy Ambrosie’s due diligence in this matter. We also recognize Johnny Manziel for thus far demonstrating the attributes necessary to continue his career in our great league. We will have no further comment at this time.”