• Loading stock data...
Friday, February 27, 2026

Johnny Manziel Could Be Subject Of New Netflix Documentary

  • Both Netflix and Johnny Manziel teased new doc on Friday.
  • QB nicknamed ‘Johnny Football’ washed out of NFL in two seasons.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Of all the NFL busts who partied their way out of the league, Johnny Manziel might be the most intriguing.

It was only a decade ago that Manziel-mania was in full swing, with “Johnny Football” becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

Who can forget the drama at the 2014 NFL Draft as the Dallas Cowboys braintrust desperately pleaded with owner Jerry Jones not to take the Texas A&M QB in the first round? 

They succeeded — and Manziel fell to the cursed Cleveland Browns with the 22nd pick. He washed out of the league by 2016.  

Nobody loved the clubs more than Johnny Football. Netflix dropped a big hint Friday it’s planning to mine his rags-to-riches-and-back-to-rags saga in a new documentary.

The now-29-year-old Manziel made an appearance in Netflix’s sports documentary, “Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist,” about former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.

Manziel and the streaming giant both dropped tweets Friday indicating a Johnny Football doc is in the works.  

The 10-second video clip shows Manziel settling into a chair for an interview. He doesn’t say a word. But he still exhibits some of his old brio, winking at the camera. The clip has already rung up 1.7 million views and counting.

The thought of a warts-and-all Johnny Football doc was welcomed by sports media Friday.

“At 29, Manziel’s NFL career is almost certainly over, but he remains a popular conversation among football fans, which could make his apparent Netflix documentary a huge success,” wrote Bleacher Report.

Added The Big Lead: “A Johnny Football documentary? Maybe it’s not the most essential story that could be told, but it should still be pretty interesting. Manziel was a legend in high school and college. 

“A homeless man convinced the Browns owner to draft him and he became another cursed Cleveland quarterback. Then all the off-the-field stuff. There’s no shortage of material to work with and apparently that’s just what Netflix is going to do.”

The former Aggies star is still hanging on, playing in the 7-on-7 Fan Controlled Football league.

But he admitted earlier this year he’s now playing just for fun — and that his formal football career is pretty much over.

“This is a way to go out and compete and have fun on a way smaller scale,” said Manziel. “I don’t have the drive to play football at a high level anymore. I don’t have a drive to be the best football player anymore that I used to have in my life, and I’m OK with that.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., makes a point during her town hall Saturday at Nevins Hall in Framingham's Memorial Building, Feb. 22, 2025. Warren discussed her thoughts on the Trump administration's recent actions and how she plans to fight back against policies that she feels hurt Massachusetts families.

WBD-Paramount Deal Sets Up Partisan Regulatory Fight

The landmark media merger will be at the heart of a political battle.
The broadcast studio and pundits on the Paramount+ series, 'Inside The NFL'.

Paramount Wins Battle For WBD As Netflix Drops Out

The streaming giant bows out of the high-stakes race.

Apple’s Big Bet on F1 Is About More Than Streaming

The technology giant also strikes a unique content collaboration with Netflix.
The Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, California, U.S. November 18, 2025.

Warner Bros. Weighs Revised Paramount Offer

The TNT Sports parent company is reviewing the latest acquisition offer.

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.

The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team

John Textor is at odds with Michele Kang and investment giant Ares.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
opinion

Nobody Is Playing Guest Game Better Than Pat McAfee

McAfee makes clear to guests he’s on their side.
May 19, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a TNT court broadcast camera before game seven between the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
February 26, 2026

Loss of NBA Felt in WBD’s Latest Earnings

The loss of live rights created near-term headwinds in advertising revenue.
CBS Sports
February 27, 2026

What a Paramount-WBD Sports Portfolio Would Look Like

The combined entity would hold rights to nearly every major U.S. pro league.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
CBS Sports
February 25, 2026

Paramount Says WBD Deal Would Help CBS Turnaround

The CBS Sports parent company lauds its NFL and UFC programming.
Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
February 25, 2026

F1 CEO Defends Apple Leap: ‘Bigger’ Reach With ‘Other People’

F1 believes it’s making up for what it’s losing in reach elsewhere.
February 24, 2026

U.S. Gold-Medal Game Draws 20.7M Viewers for NBC, a Morning Record

The gold-medal hockey game draws an NFL-like audience.
Jan 4, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT sportscaster Marv Albert looks on before a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
February 24, 2026

Family Business: Marv Albert Marvels at Son Kenny’s Gold Medal TV Performance

“He was tremendous,” Marv Albert says of his son’s career-defining performance.