Ticats VP Kent Austin: ‘Johnny [Manziel] wants to play, unequivocally’

Kent Austin is sure Johnny Manziel wants to play football north of the border.

“Johnny wants to play. I can tell you that unequivocally, he wants to play,” Austin said on Thursday.

“This is a guy that thought he would have an opportunity to be in the league last year, and that didn’t happen. So to stay committed to the process and still have a desire to stay up here and to get back into football I think speaks positively towards him and the process he’s gone through.”

In August, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner worked out for the Ticats. Manziel’s camp activated Hamilton’s 10-day negotiation list window, forcing the CFL club to make a decision on whether to sign, trade or release him. The CFL then stepped in and extended the window for further evaluation.

The following month, Manziel met with commissioner Randy Ambrosie to discuss a resolution, which included Manziel having to fulfil certain requirements to join the league. Shortly afterwards, the CFL announced the Ticats would hold Manziel’s rights until Nov. 30 before extending it again to continue with its due diligence. The CFL in late December it would approve a contract for Manziel should it be negotiated with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who hold the quarterback’s rights.

The Ticats have until January 7 to offer Manziel a contract.

-with files from CP