Is There Any Hope For Johnny Manziel?
The drama just doesn’t end for Johnny Football. Jonathan Paul Manziel has become the laughingstock of the NFL. The mere mention of his name brings thoughts of underachievement and wasted talent. Since being released by the Cleveland Browns, Manziel is still making headlines. His claims about playing football again are in serious jeopardy. More importantly, his life now resembles a train wreck. Is there any hope left?
Manziel has been spiraling out of control since he left the confines of Texas A&M. His off-field activities read like a script from a horrible B-movie. Each time he promises to do better, the inevitable seems to seek him out and create more chaos in his life.
The most recent and confusing occurrence to befall Mr. Manziel happened in California. While in the City of Angels, Manziel was involved in a hit-and-run accident. According to Bleacher Report, the vehicle reportedly hit a light pole in Hollywood. The driver, Ryan Silverstein — a friend of Manziel — and Johnny fled the scene on foot before returning when police arrived.
Silverstein and Manziel were picked up by former Browns teammate Josh Gordon before returning to the site of the accident. Last week, Gordon’s appeal of his one-year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy was denied. No one was charged, but the incident doesn’t look good for Manziel or Gordon.
On Wednesday, agent Drew Rosenhaus gave Manziel an ultimatum. The powerful message was clear: Get it together or it’s over. Per ESPN, Rosenhaus didn’t suppress his feelings towards the signal-caller.
“I have terminated the standard representation with Johnny Manziel in the hopes of helping him get the treatment I believe he needs. I have informed him that if he takes the immediate steps I have outlined for him that I will rescind the termination and continue to represent him. Otherwise the termination will become permanent. There is a five-day window for me to rescind the termination. I’m hoping he takes the necessary steps to get his life back on track.”
Manziel thinks he’s fine. He has said consistently that his lifestyle isn’t out of control and he can stop the partying whenever he wants. In the midst of his denial, Manziel is an unemployed quarterback drenched in rumors and headlines.
Manziel’s latest attention-grabbing antics are just as insane. After renting a $4.5 million home in West Hollywood, Manziel and his entourage decided to have fun. According to the Houston Press, surveillance footage captured the group as they committed $32,000 worth of damage.
Manziel was found unconscious two hours after check out time. Cocaine and mushrooms were still on a table in front of him. The owners of the rental, LA Exotic Life, have not heard from Manziel’s lawyers or his former agent. They have promised to sue for the damages if they aren’t compensated immediately.
The former Cleveland Browns quarterback has gained an inauspicious notoriety. He’s now assumed to be partying whenever his face appears in the media. His claims of being in control are constantly followed by examples of drastic and disturbing behavior.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with partying, bro. There’s a difference between partying and being out of control.”
Since the end of the 2015 NFL season, Manziel has been a constant on social media. His exploits are recorded in locales that include Vegas, Miami, and Los Angeles.
@mikefreemanNFL a friend of a friend had a manziel sighting at coachella pic.twitter.com/2lFGMpFpJe
— Raj (@RajPC1) April 18, 2016
On Sunday, Johnny Football was spotted at the Coachella Music Festival in California. So far, there have been no reports of Manziel partying at the event. The troubled Aggie has been at popular night spots, but he claims to be getting himself together.
Monday could be the day Manziel finds out his future with Rosenhaus. Hopefully, he’s been on track and cares enough to salvage his football future.
[Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images]
