Even those closest to Johnny Football realize the free-agent quarterback needs help — or maybe even a butt-whooping.
Johnny Manziel’s attorney, Jim Darnell, said Wednesday that his client is holding out hope for a return to the gridiron in 2016. However, a source close to Manziel told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he realizes a 2017 return might be more feasible. And from the sounds of it, Manziel’s family and friends are very concerned about the hard-partying 23-year-old’s ongoing personal issues.
“This is a crisis,” a family friend told Fowler. “I hope someone kicks the (crap) out of the kid and forces him to get right.”
Manziel’s parents are “just sick” over their son’s struggles, according to the family friend. This comes roughly four months after Manziel’s father told The Dallas Morning News that his son won’t live to see his 24th birthday unless he gets the help he needs.
It seems unlikely at this point that an NFL team will sign Manziel this offseason. He’s dealing with legal issues over a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an alleged incident with his ex-girlfriend, as well as a lawsuit over a trashed rental home. Not to mention Manziel has been dumped by two agents since being released by the Cleveland Browns in March and doesn’t look anywhere close to game shape.
The bigger question is whether Manziel ever will return to the NFL. Right now, it’s probably a long shot unless someone finally smacks some sense into him.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
