Johnny Manziel has Been Cleared to Play in the Canadian Football League CFL commissioner Randy Ambroise confirmed the news on Thursday. “Since last summer, the Canadian Football League has been engaged in a thorough process to determine the eligibility of Johnny Manziel." “As a result of this process, the Commissioner has now informed Mr. Manziel and the [Hamilton] Tiger-Cats he is prepared to approve a contract for Mr. Manziel should one be negotiated." The Tiger-Cats own Manziel's CFL rights and now have the opportunity to sign him. Manziel is a former first-round draft pick in the NFL, last playing for the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 27, 2015.