Former Browns QB Johnny Manziel: Formal pro career 'in my eyes is over'

On the same day that the Cleveland Browns introduced new starting quarterback Deshaun Watson via a controversial and, at times, uncomfortable press conference, one of their former signal-callers unofficially closed the door on any return to a top- or second-tier professional league. 

Johnny Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2014 draft who was last seen competing in the Fan Controlled Football league, told ESPN's Kevin Seifert he'll be returning to the FCF next month but added his traditional pro playing career "in my eyes is over." 

"This is a way to go out and compete and have fun on a way smaller scale," the 29-year-old explained. "I don't have the drive to play football at a high level anymore. I don't have a drive to be the best football player anymore that I used to have in my life, and I'm OK with that. I've come to terms with what my football career was, and what it is, and now I'm trying to figure out how I can stay entangled in the game, but from a different position.

"[FCF] is not trying to build this on my back and make me be the main focus point. I feel like I'm simply there to help bring a little bit of magic and a little bit of entertainment, but on a way different scale than the past."

Manziel, who has previously said he's bipolar, spoke last summer about mental health struggles and depression that he battled while under the national spotlight. He famously flamed out of the NFL after only two seasons and had brief cups of coffee in the Canadian Football League and the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

The former "Johnny Football" admitted to ESPN he thinks he "squandered a good opportunity" regarding his career but said that "life goes the way it goes sometimes."