ESPN reversed course Friday after initially issuing a Thursday report that Johnny Manziel wouldn’t be allowed to play in the restarted XFL.
ESPN reported the following upon Vince McMahon’s announcement:
McMahon also said he would preclude any player with a criminal record, which would disqualify former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel (emphasis added).
BREAKING: @VinceMcMahon’s new league will be called the XFL. Will start in Jan. 2020, have eight teams, players required to stand for National Anthem & Johnny Manziel is NOT eligible to play https://t.co/KEJA6Q4fua
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 25, 2018
I quickly noted that ESPN’s report didn’t add up at all because Manziel’s domestic violence chargers were dismissed.
Well, it didn’t take long for Darren Rovell to issue a another statement that Johnny Football wasn’t in fact banned from the league. He tweeted, “Clarification: Johnny Manziel has not been specifically ruled out of playing in the XFL at this time.”
Clarification: Johnny Manziel has not been specifically ruled out of playing in the XFL at this time.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 25, 2018
I’m just a regular guy, and I’m out here with better info than ESPN. I’d like to say I’m shocked, but we all know that I’m not. Not a great look for the “worldwide leader in sports” when a guy who makes a living by drinking Mountain Dew and beer is more informed on the situation than they are.
Now it’s time to officially fire up the ComebackSZN hype machine.
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) January 25, 2018