Johnny Manziel stayed true to his word Thursday night.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback was back on the field for the first time after a tumultuous offseason that included a trip to rehab and a promise that he wouldn’t bring back his trademark “Money Sign” touchdown celebration.
Josh McCown got the start in Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Washington Redskins, but Manziel entered late in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, the 22-year-old flashed some of the athleticism that has optimistic Browns fans so excited.
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It was a 12-yard touchdown scamper for Manziel, who against all odds opted for a more traditional celebration by receiving a few helmet slaps from his teammates.
Manziel didn’t play too much longer, finishing the night 7-for-11 for 42 yards before giving way to third-stringer Connor Shaw in the Browns’ eventual 20-17 loss.
This is the preseason, of course, so it remains to be seen whether Manziel actually is ready to turn the corner, especially since he’s second on the depth chart behind McCown. But he did score a touchdown and didn’t look like an idiot afterward, so that’s a positive.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
