Skip Bayless: Browns' Johnny Manziel Is An Alcoholic Who Needs Help

Even Skip Bayless is turning on Johnny Football.

Bayless, who has long supported Johnny Manziel, said Monday on ESPN’s “First Take” that he thinks the polarizing Cleveland Browns quarterback has an alcohol problem. Bayless also labeled Manziel a “liar” while suggesting the controversial signal caller needs help.

“It is time for me to come down harder on a concern that I repeatedly voiced on this show before Johnny was drafted. My concern, I repeatedly said, was if Johnny continues to demonstrate that he has a problem with alcohol, and a problem with alcohol leading to partying and all that that entails, then I’m going to be out,” Bayless said, according to USA TODAY’s For The Win. “I’m going to be off the bandwagon. I will no longer support a kid that I do like personally, and I have come to that point Stephen A. (Smith).

“In talking to people in and around the Cleveland Browns, I believe Johnny Manziel continues to have a problem with alcohol. And I believe, Stephen A., that it is time for Johnny to get some help. He continues to lie to his executives, to his coaches, to his teammates, to the media, and most of all, he continues to lie to himself.”

Manziel, whose wild off-the-field behavior is well-documented, fell in more hot water over the weekend amid allegations he threw a party Friday night that caused several Browns players to miss Saturday’s walk-through. Manziel, who was late for treatment on his injured hamstring Saturday, denied the allegations Monday, saying he did not throw a party and only went out with a few friends from his hometown.

Bayless, like many others, isn’t buying Manziel’s latest excuse, though. Stephen A. Smith followed up Bayless’ evaluation by asking his co-host point blank if he believed Manziel is an “alcoholic” and a “liar.” Bayless pulled no punches.

“I do. Yes I do,” Bayless said. “He has a problem — if you want to call him an alcoholic, I’ll go that far. I think he can’t handle his alcohol.”