After years of excessive partying and drinking, NFL Quarterback Johnny “Football” Manziel finally checked into an alcohol treatment facility.
On Wednesday, January 28, the twenty-two-year-old media favorite admitted himself into rehabilitation to “improve” himself and to “figure out his value system,” as his adviser Brad Beckworth informed ESPN: “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.” Although Manziel intends on fully fixing his apparent alcohol problem and completing a rigorous course of rehab, Johnny Football will also be ready to play the game he loves come training camp.
This upcoming NFL season will be Manziel’s sophomore campaign, where he will have to again fight for the starting job as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him 22nd overall this past draft. Manziel started three games in the 2014-2015 season after replacing Quarterback Brian Hoyer in week fifteen after the team’s play deteriorated. In addition, Manziel’s performance in the games he started were not that spectacular, which does not bode well for him when he will compete for the starting job next season. Also, many rumors circled around Johnny Football about parties he threw with teammates, one of which resulted in his and Wide Receiver Josh Gordon’s missing of a mandatory team meeting, resulting in a one-week suspension (the last week of the season) for both players.
If Manziel wants to prove his worth in the league and to his team, he will have to be totally disciplined in regard to his alcohol intake. The suspicions that substances have hindered Manziel’s play are too much of a worry for the Browns, and if his antics continue, Johnny Rehab will surely be looking for a new job, sooner rather than later.