Commissioner: Manziel is welcome in CFL

Johnny Manziel has an open invitation to join the CFL, providing he's able to adjust and fit to the culture of the league.

CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge didn't comment on the likelihood of Manziel playing north of the border, but did say "the integrity of the league" is a top priority when it comes to the inclusion of any player, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.

"We try not to speculate on situations like that, and I really can't speculate too much on hypotheticals," Orridge said. "But I can tell you that what's paramount to us is ensuring the success of an athlete, while at the same time preserving and promoting the integrity of the league and the game."

Orridge leaves decisions pertaining to welcoming players to the CFL to the teams, but emphasized the need for integrity. Manziel is on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats negotiation list, so the team will have first crack at signing the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner.

"I rely primarily on the assessment of the team," Orridge said. "It is their charge to evaluate the talent and to bring that talent forward. To be candid, if there is a situation that we believe warrants additional input, we certainly want to provide that to the team. We're obviously charged with making sure that the integrity of the league and the integrity of our brand is perpetuated."

The CFL season is heading into Week 11, and while the addition of Manziel may not occur in 2016, there's nothing to rule out a deal in the future.