Johnny Manziel will make CFL debut this week against former team

For the first time in three years, Johnny Manziel will play professional football.

The former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback will start Friday for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. Manziel will do so against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — his former team.

Manziel, 25, was traded to the Alouettes from the Tiger-Cats on July 23. He suited up for the team’s game July 26 but did not play.

It has been six years since the Texas native won the Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M, dazzling college football fans with his dual-threat ability. He was drafted by the Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He played five games that year and nine the next.

Ultimately, though, in March 2016, he was released.

The Tiger-Cats gave him an opportunity this past spring, signing Manziel to a two-year contract. The team then traded him more than a week ago, paving the way for his first professional start in years.

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