Johnny Manziel Quits Special Forces: World's Toughest Test

Former NFL star Johnny Manziel tapped out of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test after a brutal, claustrophobic underground challenge pushed him to his absolute limit.

TL;DR

Johnny Manziel quit Special Forces: World's Toughest Test on the October 16 episode (Day 4).
His exit came during a grueling tunnel infiltration challenge where he hit a dead end and panicked.
He's the fifth celebrity to leave Season 4, with new episodes airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX and streaming on Hulu.

Another Celebrity Falls in the Toughest Test Yet

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Well, folks, we've got another shocking departure from the intense world of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. This time, it's former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel, who decided to call it quits during the show's October 16 episode. It seems even "Johnny Football" found his breaking point when faced with the relentless mental and physical gauntlet of military-style training in the unforgiving Moroccan desert.

The FOX reality series, known for pushing celebrities far beyond their comfort zones, saw Manziel become the fifth star to voluntarily withdraw or be removed from Season 4. His exit was particularly dramatic, unfolding during a challenge designed to test not just physical endurance, but the raw courage to face one's deepest fears.

Day 4's Grueling Underground Infiltration Challenge Proves Too Much

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On their fourth day in the brutal Moroccan desert, the recruits were thrown into an "enemy infiltration exercise." This wasn't your average obstacle course; it required them to crawl through incredibly tight, dark, underground tunnels, navigating blindly to a target location half a mile away at the base of a signal tower. Sounds like a nightmare, right?

Manziel was appointed leader of his team, which included TV personality Gia Giudice and supermodel Chanel Iman. Right off the bat, Gia was hesitant, telling Director Mark Billingham, "I'm gonna have a f--king panic attack." Billingham, true to form, didn't mince words, firing back with a blunt, "Get in the f--king tunnel now, or give me your armband." The challenge was on.

As the team burrowed deeper, the tunnels became even more constricting and the darkness more profound. It was here, amidst the dirt and the claustrophobia, that Manziel hit a dead end, literally and figuratively.

Manziel's Breaking Point: "I'm Out" Becomes a Reality

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The unexpected hurdle sent the 32-year-old former sports star into a mental tailspin. He'd admitted earlier in a confessional, "There's gonna be a voice in my head numerous times throughout this that's probably going to be telling me to quit and bail out. Take the easy way out. Fighting that and resisting that urge is the main focus." But this time, that voice won.

Feeling utterly defeated and stuck in the tight confines, Manziel announced to Billingham, "I'm out." Billingham, ever the tough mentor, gave him one last chance: "What do you want to do? Think about it. Last chance." Ultimately, Manziel had reached his limit. He declared, "I'm out," for good, and symbolically removed his recruit armband, signifying his departure.

A Familiar Struggle: Manziel Reflects on Giving Up Mentally

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Manziel's quitting meant his entire team — Gia and Chanel included — failed the challenge. For him, it wasn't a physical injury but a deeply personal barrier he just couldn't overcome. He reflected on his decision with raw honesty:

“My biggest struggles within myself are just giving up at times. Losing that battle mentally. And that's been something I think has been a weakness for me for sure. You have to live with the decisions and the actions you made and there is no going back and changing things now.”

This candid admission speaks volumes about Manziel's past struggles. The 2012 Heisman winner's NFL career with the Cleveland Browns was cut short in 2016 amidst off-field controversies, including drug use and accusations of domestic violence. In the 2023 Netflix documentary Untold: Johnny Football, he even revealed a suicide attempt after hitting rock bottom, stating, "When I had gotten everything I'd ever wanted, I think I was the most empty that I ever felt inside."

He joined Special Forces hoping for a "first real test of putting myself in a situation where you face that kind of physical challenge." While he completed some earlier drills, this claustrophobic tunnel proved to be the specific "dragon" he couldn't conquer, exposing a deeper mental battle he’s long acknowledged.

The Aftermath: Teammates React to the Unexpected Exit

Manziel's decision left his teammates surprised, even as they grappled with their own struggles. Gia, who had confessed to nearly having a panic attack, commented, "I can't believe Johnny just tapped out. I was gonna for a second. I had a panic attack." It highlights the intense pressure everyone was under, but also the shock of their leader giving up.

Chanel Iman, on the other hand, was more focused on the physical toll of the challenge. She struggled to catch her breath, admitting, "I swallowed so much dirt." Their reactions underscore the harrowing nature of the task and the collective strain it placed on the recruits.

Who Else Has Dared to Depart Special Forces Season 4?

Johnny Manziel is by no means the first to buckle under the pressure or leave the competition. Season 4 has already seen a rapid succession of exits, proving just how aptly named "World's Toughest Test" really is. Here's a quick recap of who else has left the Moroccan desert:

Brittany Cartwright: Quit Day 1. The TV personality struggled with a running challenge before even reaching base camp and decided to self-disqualify.
Eva Marcille: Discharged Day 2. The actress and model was deemed a safety hazard by the Directing Staff (DS) after a near-drowning incident, unable to continue.
Teresa Giudice: Quit Day 2. The reality TV star voluntarily walked away to avoid watching her daughter, Gia, participate in a physical sparring match. She stated she "didn't want to see her daughter in a vulnerable position."
Jussie Smollett: Medically Withdrawn Day 3. The actor/singer had to leave after developing a concerning cough from the dust, which doctors attributed to lung issues, making him medically unable to proceed. Smollett had expressed a desire to redeem himself publicly through the show.

These varied departures highlight that the show's challenges are multifaceted, pushing celebrities beyond their physical limits and into deep psychological warfare, often forcing them to confront personal demons and fears. The DS agents—Rudy Reyes, Mark "Billy" Billingham, Jason "Foxy" Fox, and Jovon "Q" Quarles—are relentless in their pursuit of mental and physical fortitude.

The Remaining Recruits: Who's Still Facing the Fire?

With Johnny Manziel's exit, 13 celebrity recruits remain to face the unrelenting demands of the Special Forces course. The competition only gets tougher from here, testing their physical and mental resilience further. Here are the stars still battling it out:

Chanel Iman (Supermodel)
Randall Cobb (NFL Pro Bowler)
Christie Pearce Rampone (World Cup and Olympic Soccer Champion)
Andrew East (Former NFL Player)
Ravi V. Patel (Actor)
Nick Young (NBA Champion)
Shawn Johnson (Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medalist)
Gia Giudice (TV Personality)
Mark Estes (Internet Personality)
Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia (Internet Personality)
Eric Decker (Former NFL Player)
Jessie James Decker (Country Music Artist)
Kody Brown (TV Personality)

Each week promises more grueling tasks and emotional breakthroughs (or breakdowns!). You won't want to miss how these remaining celebrities handle the "world's toughest test."

Don't Miss the Action: How to Watch Special Forces Season 4

Curious to see who will make it to the end and truly test their limits? New episodes of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test air every Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

If you've cut the cord, no worries! You can catch new episodes streaming the very next morning (Fridays) on Hulu. Live streaming options are also available through subscriptions to platforms like Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. Plus, FOX One is offering a one-week free trial for those looking to jump in.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered When does Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 4 air? New episodes air every Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Where can I stream Special Forces Season 4 without cable? You can stream new episodes on Hulu the day after they air (Fridays). Live streaming is available through Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. FOX One also offers a one-week free trial. Who has left Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 4 so far? As of the October 16 episode, five celebrities have exited: Brittany Cartwright, Eva Marcille, Teresa Giudice, Jussie Smollett, and Johnny Manziel. What kind of challenges do the recruits face on the show? Recruits face a variety of intense, military-style challenges designed to test their physical, mental, and emotional resilience. This season has included helicopter jumps, escaping sinking planes, combat training, rappelling, and underground tunnel infiltrations. Sources