Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is trading in his football cleats for boxing gloves, set to make his highly anticipated ring debut in Las Vegas. The 2014 first-round pick will headline Brand Risk Promotions Event 14 on May 23, 2026, at the UFC APEX, facing off against actor Bob Menery in a main event that promises to draw plenty of attention.
Manziel's journey to the boxing ring has been anything but conventional. Since his NFL career fizzled out just two years after it began, the former Heisman Trophy winner has tried his hand at podcasting, indoor football, and Canadian football. None of those ventures stuck. Now, he's stepping into the squared circle for what many see as his latest shot at relevance.
The story of Manziel's NFL flameout remains one of the most cautionary tales in league history. Back in 2014, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was determined to make a splash, and "Johnny Football" seemed like the perfect headline grabber. Despite red flags waving throughout the pre-draft process—with concerns about his off-field habits and commitment level—Manziel's electric college highlights and undeniable competitiveness won over Cleveland's front office.
On draft night, Haslam got his wish. After selecting cornerback Justin Gilbert with the eighth overall pick, the Browns used the 22nd selection to bring Manziel to Cleveland. In a draft class that's remembered more for its misses than hits, that first round stands out as particularly rough. (Though the team did find gems like Joel Bitonio and Christian Kirksey later on.)
Manziel's NFL stat line tells the story of a career that never took off: just 14 games, eight starts, a 2-6 record as a starter, 1,675 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The stories from his time in Cleveland have become the stuff of sports legend—but for all the wrong reasons.
Now, more than a decade after his last NFL snap, Manziel is lacing up for a different kind of competition. Whether this boxing debut signals a genuine athletic comeback or just another headline-grabbing moment remains to be seen. One thing's for sure: when the bell rings in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on the former Browns quarterback.