Johnny Manziel adds excitement to game in Memphis

[Chomps]

Johnny Manziel didn’t start for the Memphis Express, but he has made his Alliance of American Football debut.

He entered to a loud ovation with 7:12 remaining in the first half and the Express trailing 16-8.

Manziel led the Express down the field, rushing for 20 yards on two carries and completing 1 of 2 passes for 36 yards with the incompletion a drop. The Express, though, missed a short field goal.

On the Express’ next series — the final one before halftime — starting quarterback Brandon Silvers returned to the game to boos from the crowd.

Co-offensive coordinator Bobby Blizzard said last week, after only a couple of practices, that Manziel was ready to play. Blizzard’s offense is similar to the offense that the Heisman Trophy winner ran at Texas A&M.

 

[Chomps]

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Johnny Manziel played three series in his Alliance of American Football debut Sunday night.

The former Heisman Trophy winner went 3-for-5 for 48 yards, rushed for 20 yards, took one sack and had a failed two-point conversion as the Memphis Express rallied for a 31-25 overtime victory over the Birmingham Iron.

Brandon Silvers made his first professional start, the third starting quarterback for the Express, and went 24-of-35 for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

But those who tuned in did so to see Manziel, who struggled in two NFL seasons and for his eight-game stint in the Canadian Football League.

Co-offensive coordinator Bobby Blizzard said last week, after only a couple of practices, that Manziel was ready to play. The Express offense is similar to the offense that the Heisman Trophy winner ran at Texas A&M.