Johnny Manziel Update: Will The Fallen Football Star Accept The NFL’s Help?
When former Texas A&M football star Johnny Manziel first appeared on the NFL scene, he was poised to have a bright future ahead of him with plenty of success coming his way. However, the prospect of that future quickly dissipated when it became apparent he began making terrible choices and losing control over his life. Pretty soon Manziel was in the news seemingly every other week for partying, excessive drinking and, most recently, alleged domestic violence.
MLive.com reports Dallas police have launched a criminal investigation against Manziel after an altercation he reportedly had with ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley on January 30. Crowley told police Johnny hit her “several times” at a Dallas hotel and later while driving back to her apartment in Forth Worth. Sources alleged he threatened to kill Crowley and himself, but he told TMZ Sports, “I’m completely stable. I’m safe and secure.”
Johnny Manziel’s dark journey looks like it’s reached point of no return (by @ChrisBurkeSI) https://t.co/K2epvshe4h pic.twitter.com/7cndOKbQsI
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 7, 2016
Manziel’s father, Paul, recently told the Dallas Morning News that he’s afraid for his son’s well-being, but that his son has twice refused to go to rehab.
“I truly believe if they can’t get him help, he won’t live to see his 24th birthday,” Paul Manziel said.
A judge in Texas has ordered Johnny to stay away from Crowley for two years because “there is reason to believe that family violence occurred.”
Johnny’s troubles are only beginning. Not only is the Dallas police department investigating him, the NFL has also launched their own investigation. Johnny’s agent dropped him on Friday, and the Cleveland Browns have made it crystal clear they’re cutting Manziel as early as March 9.
NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent said the league is willing to help the troubled quarterback, but that he must be willing to accept the help being offered.
“We wish to give Johnny as much support as he is willing to receive, we can’t make anyone do anything. I’ve seen his father make a statement, reach out to the family to make sure the family knows the National Football League, the Cleveland Browns, the players association — everyone’s here to support you, but you have to embrace it.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also said in a news conference on Friday that the league will give Manziel as much help as he wants. The question remains if Johnny will accept that help or not.
Though the Cleveland Browns have already announced their intentions on cutting Johnny loose, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told the Cleveland Plains Dealer that the club has reached out to their quarterback several times since Johnny’s alleged altercation with Crowley.
“We’ll do anything we can to help, but he’s got to call us back and work with us. We’re trying to help one of our team members and we would do the same thing for someone in accounting or sales as we would for a quarterback who’s well-known. We’ve reached out to him several times since Saturday when this all came out and he hasn’t responded. The thing is, we want him to get well.”
Browns coach Hue Jackson added that the organization is “about saving people” and will reach out to help people.
“I know our organization well enough that the powers that be would reach out and create any environment that could help, because we’re not about hurting people. We’re about saving people. I know that without question.”
Jackson went on further to add that Johnny needs to know he isn’t alone and help is available.
“What I would say to any young player, not just Johnny but any player who’s going through a lot of different things: You’re not alone. There’s help available and people are willing to help but sometimes you have to reach a desire to accept the help as you move forward in your life.”
Even actor Charlie Sheen took to Twitter to encourage Johnny Manziel to get help.
@JManziel2
it’s time 2 refocus
all of your energy
on health & Football!
it’s never 2 late
2 get a fresh start!
© pic.twitter.com/cnbzekJYlv— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) February 6, 2016
Will Johnny Manziel take the help the NFL is offering, or will he continue to crash and burn?
[Photo courtesy of AP/Scott Eklund, File]
