Adviser: Manziel gets help
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has sought help to change his off-field lifestyle.
Manziel adviser Brad Beckworth read a statement released by the team on Monday that said Manziel has entered a treatment program for unspecified reasons.
“Johnny knows there are areas he needs to improve on to help him be a better family member, friend and teammate, so he decided to take this step in his life during the offseason,” Beckworth said.
Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at Texas A&M, entered the treatment facility, which has not been named, last week. Beckworth said Manziel’s family is asking for privacy until he rejoins the team.
Beckworth’s statement did not indicate reasons for Manziel, 22, needing treatment, but the quarterback’s penchant for partying followed him from college into the pros and Manziel’s nightlife has been well-chronicled by both social and mainstream media.
Browns General Manager Ray Farmer said in a statement that the team fully supports Manziel and respects his initiative in entering treatment. The team will respect Manziel’s privacy during treatment, he said.
A Browns spokesman declined to provide any further information about Manziel’s situation, citing privacy laws.
Manziel, the 22nd selection in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, spent the majority of last season as the backup to starter Brian Hoyer before Coach Mike Pettine switched their roles with the team still in the playoff hunt.
Manziel made his first start on Dec. 14 against Cincinnati, but failed miserably. He appeared unprepared and overmatched as the Bengals defense harassed him into two interceptions and the Browns were throttled 300. Manziel completed 10 of 18 passes for 80 yards, was sacked twice and looked nothing like a player capable of ending Cleveland’s long search to find a franchise quarterback.
The next week at Carolina, Manziel injured his hamstring on a running play before halftime and was replaced by Hoyer.
Manziel was fined by the Browns for missing a medical treatment before the season finale at Baltimore. Manziel promised he would change following the season, apologizing to Cleveland’s fans and his teammates for being a distraction.
But hours after apologizing, he was photographed in Miami Beach and over the next few days there were photos of him on Instagram in a Houston nightclub and in Aspen, Colo.
The Browns have made it clear to Manziel that they expect more from him if he wants to be their leader.
“Johnny has to show on and off the field he can be a professional,” owner Jimmy Haslam said on Jan. 22. “He knows that. Everybody in the organization has told him that. He knows what we expect of him on and off the field and it’s up to him to prove he can do that.”
Manziel’s uncertain future could influence the Browns’ plans at quarterback. Hoyer is scheduled to become a free agent, but the Cleveland native may be willing to re-sign with Cleveland, especially if Manziel is not in the picture. The Browns also have two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19) in this year’s draft and may be willing to use them to land a quarterback.
Manziel, who won the Heisman as a freshman at Texas A&M where his playmaking skills earned him his “Johnny Football” nickname, has faced questions for several years about his active nightlife. Manziel was repeatedly photographed drinking alcohol during weekend trips to Las Vegas after he was drafted in May by the Browns in the first round. A photograph of Manziel floating on an inflatable swan raft swigging a bottle of champagne went viral on the internet.
Manziel often dismissed criticism about his behavior, insisting he wasn’t going to let others dictate to him how to live his life. But Manziel seemed embarrassed by some of his choices and after the season he vowed to change his ways.
“It’s about actions,” he told reporters on Dec. 29. “It’s about being accountable and doing what I’m going to say. … I’m either going to learn or I’m going to be finding something else to do.”
Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins offered his support to Manziel on Twitter.
“Much love and support to my brother Johnny,” Hawkins wrote. “Proud of him, big step. Football is secondary. God Bless!”