Remember when Johnny Manziel strangely missed the Cleveland Browns’ Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with what the team described as a concussion? Well, that “concussion” might actually have been something else, if we’re to believe a new report.
According to NFL Network analyst Mike Silver, who said he was with a Browns player Monday, Manziel showed up to practice drunk and the organization covered for the quarterback.
“Johnny Manziel, going into what would have been a start late in the season, showed up drunk at practice on a Wednesday,” Silver said Tuesday on the NFL Network. “The Browns lied and said he was in the concussion protocol.
“Let me repeat that: The Browns lied to try to protect, and I would argue enable, this irresponsible and very troubled young man.”
Manziel has made headlines more for his hard partying and his off-the-field troubles than anything he’s done on the gridiron since the Browns drafted him in the first round (22nd overall) in 2014. Things really have spiraled out of control lately, though. The 23-year-old allegedly was involved in a disturbing incident with his girlfriend and Manziel’s father even said he fears for his son’s life.
Manziel’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, cut ties with the QB last week and it sounds like the Browns will do the same before long. As Silver notes, however, the Johnny Football saga goes well beyond football. It’s about saving a young man’s life before it’s too late.
“Johnny Manziel, be a man, grow up, get the help that you need and get the enablers away from you,” Silver said passionately.
If Silver’s report regarding Manziel showing up drunk to practice is accurate, it’s fair to lump the Browns organization into that “enabler” category.
Let’s see how the NFL handles this doozy.
Thumbnail photo via Danny Wild/USA TODAY Sports Images
