Johnny Manziel Declares He'll 'Hate' Cleveland Forever

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Jun 29, 2026 10:01 AM ET

Johnny Manziel's time in Cleveland, Ohio didn't go very well.

The former Texas A&M Aggies star quarterback was a first round pick by the Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft. Manziel lasted just two seasons with the Browns, though. He was out of the NFL by his mid-20s and he was unable to return. Manziel spent some time in the CFL and the AFL, before ultimately retiring from football.

Manziel has grown up a lot since then, but he still harbors a lot of ill-will toward the city of Cleveland. The feelings are probably mutual at this point, though. Manziel doesn't like Cleveland and Cleveland doesn't like Manziel.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 03: Football Quarterback Johnny Manziel talks onset prior to the SEC Championship game between the LSU Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C&period; Cox/Getty Images

Manziel told Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco on their podcast "Nightcap" that he will always hate the city of Cleveland.

"I sit here today and I go back on forth, am I going to let Cleveland off the hook, let it go or am I going to sit here with hate and animosity in my heart for the rest of my life," Manziel admitted. "I finally sit here today, and I'm like, [Expletive] it, I think I'm gonna be (upset) at them and hate them forever. It is what it is man, no love for the Browns."

“I’m rooting for 0-16 seasons every season,” - former Browns 1st round pick Johnny Manziel on rooting against the Browns every season pic.twitter.com/IPVe3uxqiR
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 27, 2026

NFL fans react to Manziel's declaration

NFL fans aren't surprised by Manziel's declaration, though they don't really feel bad for him, either.

"Johnny Manziel was paid $8 million by the team, watched approximately 0 seconds of film, and was flying to Vegas to go on benders the day before a game," one fan wrote.

"The Browns can never win another game the rest of my life and as a fan I’ll still be incredibly happy because I’m not Johnny Manziel. Imagine crashing out of the league because you’re a horrible QB and still crying about it 11 years later," one fan added.

"Guy is a loser, blessed with talent and decided he didn’t have to work for anything," another fan added.

"All he had to do was study the playbook," one fan added.

It's safe to say that Manziel won't be welcomed back in Cleveland anytime soon.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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