Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Loses 5th Celebrity—and It's Not Who You'd Expect

Retired NFL star Johnny Manziel reached his limit during a brutal physical challenge and became the fifth recruit to leave season four of Fox's Special Forces: World's Toughest Test on Oct. 16.

By Brett M Malec Oct 17, 2025 2:00 AM
| Updated Oct 28, 2025 2:52 PM
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Watch: Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Loses 5th Celebrity—and It's Not Who You'd Expect

Johnny Manziel has reached his limit.

The former NFL quarterback became the fifth celebrity to exit season four of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test after quitting the competition during the Fox reality series' Oct. 16 episode.

On their fourth day in the Moroccan desert, the recruits were challenged with completing an enemy infiltration exercise in which they were required to crawl through tight, underground tunnels and make it to their target location at the base of a signal tower half a mile away.

Manziel was appointed leader of his team, which included Gia Giudice and Chanel Iman, neither of whom were eager to brave the intense obstacle course.

Initially, Gia hesitated, telling Special Forces Director Mark Billingham, "I'm gonna have a f--king panic attack." However, the stern military vet fired back with, "Get in the f--king tunnel now, or give me your armband."

As the teammates made their way through to course, the tunnels became darker and narrower before Manziel hit a dead end.

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The unexpected hurdle sent the 32-year-old into a mental tailspin.

"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," the retired sports star admitted in a confessional. "Take the easy way out. Fighting that and resisting that urge is the main focus."

Feeling defeated, Manziel announced to Billingham, "I'm out," before Billingham encouraged him to fight through the moment of weakness by replying, "What do you want to do? Think about it. Last chance."

Pete Dadds/FOX

Ultimately, Manziel had had enough and declared, "I'm out," before taking off his recruit armband.

Manziel's quitting meant all three members of his team failed the challenge. And the Heisman winner admitted that he simply reached a personal barrier that he couldn’t overcome.

"My biggest struggles within myself are just giving up at times," Manziel reflected in a confessional. "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."

FOX

As for his teammates' reactions to his exit, Gia commented, "I can't believe Johnny just tapped out. I was gonna for a second. I had a panic attack."

Meanwhile, Chanel struggled to catch her breath and admitted, "I swallowed so much dirt."

See how the rest of the cast fares in the brutal competition when Special Forces: World's Toughest Test airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox. And keep reading to see the 13 celebs still competing this season.

Brittany Cartwright: Quit Day 1

TV Personality

Eva Marcille: Discharged Day 2

Actress & Model

Teresa Giudice: Quit Day 2

TV Personality

Jussie Smollett: Medically Withdrawn Day 3

Actor/Singer

Johnny Manziel: Quit Day 4

Heisman Winner and Former NFL Quarterback

Nick Young: Quit Day 5

NBA Champion

Ravi V. Patel: Quit Day 5

Actor

Chanel Iman: Withdrawn Day 6

Supermodel

Eric Decker: Medically Withdrawn Day 6

Former NFL Player

Jessie James Decker: Quit Day 6

Country Music Artist

Mark Estes: Medically Withdrawn Day 7

Internet Personality

Christie Pearce Rampone: Medically Withdrawn Day 7

World Cup and Olympic Soccer Champion

Gia Giudice

TV Personality

Kody Brown

TV Personality

Andrew East

Former NFL Player

Shawn Johnson

Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medalist

Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia

Internet Personality

Randall Cobb

NFL Pro Bowler

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