It didn’t take long for the first bombshell of the NFL offseason to drop.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel entered a treatment facility Wednesday, according to Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot. Manziel’s publicist, Denise Michaels, confirmed the story to Cabot.
“Brad Beckworth, friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny entered treatment on Wednesday,” Michaels’ statement read. “Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate, and he thought the offseason was the right time to take this step.
“On behalf of Johnny and his family, we’re asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland.”
General manager Ray Farmer released this statement shortly after the news broke.
“We respect Johnny’s initiative in this decision and will fully support him through the process,” the statement read, via Cabot. “Our players’ health and well-being will always be of the utmost importance to the Cleveland Browns. We continually strive to create a supportive environment and provide the appropriate resources, with our foremost focus being on the individual and not just the football player. Johnny’s privacy will be respected by us during this very important period and we hope others will do the same.”
It’s unclear at this point what Manziel is getting treatment for, but Manziel’s partying habits have been well documented since his time at Texas A&M. That carried over into his rookie year with Cleveland, including Manziel being photographed with a rolled-up dollar bill in a Las Vegas bathroom. That incident was especially disturbing to the Browns, according to Cabot’s report.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
