CFL Commissioner Comments on Johnny Manziel and Possibility of Joining League

Quarterback Johnny Manziel remains a free agent since his March release from the Cleveland Browns, but the Canadian Football League's commissioner made it clear he is open to welcoming Johnny Football north of the border.

According to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert, Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge is in favor of such a move provided Manziel isn't a negative distraction: "We try not to speculate on situations like that, and I really can't speculate too much on hypotheticals. But I can tell you that what's paramount to us is ensuring the success of an athlete, while at the same time preserving and promoting the integrity of the league and the game."

The 23-year-old 2012 Heisman Trophy winner's off-field issues are well-documented, which led to his father, Paul Manziel, calling him a "druggie" and fearing for his life, per ESPN.com.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats own Manziel's exclusive negotiating rights, and Orridge doesn't intend to micromanage if they make an attempt to sign the former Texas A&M standout:

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I rely primarily on the assessment of the team. It is their charge to evaluate the talent and to bring that talent forward. To be candid, if there is a situation that we believe warrants additional input, we certainly want to provide that to the team. We're obviously charged with making sure that the integrity of the league and the integrity of our brand is perpetuated.

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Manziel didn't live up to his first-round draft status on the field during his two years with the Browns; he threw for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The CFL does have a history of setting quarterbacks up for success in the NFL, however.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon lit up the league prior to joining the NFL, as did Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia. Doug Flutie comes to mind as well, though he originally played in the United States Football League before joining the NFL and CFL.

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