Manziel throws support behind Masoli, but knows opportunity is 1 play away

Johnny Manziel won't be starting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' season opener Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders, but he continues to support his first-string quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

Speaking Friday, Manziel made it clear he prioritizes winning and stands behind his teammate.

"We're all behind Jeremiah, starting tomorrow," Manziel said Friday, according to The Associated Press, via ESPN. "More than anything, I want a win for this team. It's more than me. It's more than just one individual. It's a team effort and it takes everybody we have on this roster to go out and win games."

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While the former Heisman Trophy winner is saying all the right things before his first game with the Tiger-Cats, he understands that as a backup, an opportunity to enter the lineup could come at any point.

"We'll see how things go," Manziel said. "Any backup or anybody on our depth chart is one play, two plays away from getting in the game. That's something I've learned over the course of the years and take very seriously."

Manziel threw for 168 yards and one touchdown in his first two CFL exhibition games.