Johnny Manziel-- The accomplished high school football player from Kerrville, Texas that earned himself a scholarship to play at Texas A&M from 2011-2013 and made a name for himself in 2012-- who made his way to the National Football League.
Redshirted in 2011, it wasn't until 2012 that Manziel exploded in every single national sports related headline following his 29-24 victory over #1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa-- which is arguably one of his best games to date. The quarterback excelled, earning 345 of A&M's 418 yards of offense, which also included two passing touchdowns. Just a few days after his performance, he became the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, in most national watch-lists and polls. This was just the beginning of his record-breaking career.
Once 2014 came, like many college football players, Johnny Manziel chose to undergo his junior season and enter the NFL Draft. One can argue he was every coach's dream, but realistically speaking, one can argue he was every coach's nightmare because it was no secret that Johnny Football was an elite in the social scene.
On draft day, approximately 21 teams, including the Cleveland Browns, overlooked selecting Manziel. But his eagerness to get picked was so high that he texted the former Browns quarterback coach that he wants to "wreck the league" in Cleveland-- who then forwarded the text to the Browns head coach, which led to him making the ultimate decision to trade up in order to draft Manziel at the 22nd overall pick, despite his size and partying habits.
Shortly after being drafted it was no surprise that Johnny immediately celebrated, and did so with fellow known NFL party animal, Rob Gronkowski. The media picked up on this like wildfire—but the new Browns head coach at the time dismissed the hype surrounding the wild trip because “that just comes with the territory of who he is.”
Meanwhile Johnny’s reaction was that he was going to live his life to the fullest while still being committed to football.. Mmmmm, okay, Johnny.
But the truth of the matter is, in Johnny’s complete defense, what can one possibly expect from a partying-type of 21 year old that is given millions? It’s almost like giving a child unlimited access to buying anything they could possibly want in Toys R Us.
By constantly knocking someone down for his or her mistakes, at an extremely young age no less, will not help them in any possible way, right? The backlash that the nation began giving this kid-- was only going to subconsciously encourage this type of behavior more, to the point where it’s almost like why not GIVE them something to write about.
Need I bring up Britney's 2007 Circa?
Well, Manziel continued to give the media what they wanted without truly grasping the realities of the consequences he will begin to face in the NFL..
Johnny's first "whoopsies" was when he was fined in August of 2014 for his infamous “flipping the bird” stunt to the Redskin’s sideline during a 24-23 loss. Oh, it was a $12,000 fine, by the way. This resulted to the announcement of him not being the Brown’s starting quarterback. Uh, yikes.
It wasn’t until November 5th of the same year that Cleveland’s General Manager stated that he believed that Johnny Football was indeed the team’s future starter. One can only think that this public statement would be an eye-opener for the rookie (or at least hope). But low and behold, 17 days later he was involved in a scuffle in downtown Cleveland.
While he made his first NFL starting debut, it was not much of a hot start considering the Brown’s lost 30-0-- which was followed by a hamstring injury. But this injury resulted in opening the rookie's eyes that he needed to change some of his techniques.
But again, here comes another shock; Just two days later, he chose to throw a party which made him late for his hamstring treatment the following morning. After failing to answer his phone, team security visited his apartment in an effort to locate him. He was then fined for being late.
Talk about a rough rookie season—now let’s take a look at 2015.
Three days into the New Year, he dusted off his famous middle finger and flipped it at some hecklers at a club in Houston, that actually later on threw drinks at the quarterback. Now, just 28 days into the New Year, his family opted that he enters rehab and surprisingly, he agreed, with the condition that he would also move into the suburbs away from the city distractions.
By April, he was released and soon issued a public apology, with the Brown’s fully expecting him to be present for the team’s offseason workouts later that month. But by the end of May, he managed to find even more trouble and reportedly threw a water bottle at a fan following a verbal altercation.
At least it was a water bottle.. Ha.
This led to Manziel's decision to retire his famous “money” sign in June with the mentality to keep the past in the past (which he was very ashamed of) and onto a new start, better future, while also shaping up his career.
A few months passed and his promises seemed to be in full-effect, but in October he was pulled over for a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, where the two had admitted that there had been alcohol use earlier that day.
But ironically enough, the fight was caused over a cell phone—nothing too out of the ordinary in young relationships, I suppose. However, he refused to give her back her phone because she wanted to 'contact her family for help' and thought the best way to react would be to throw his wallet out the window. During the argument his girlfriend also claimed that Manziel pushed her head into the car window.
That might be a little much, don't you think?
Police claimed there was no need for a sobriety test for the Browns quarterback because there was no need for one given all the evidence, along with no evidence of any physical abuse towards his girlfriend-- which ultimately gave the league’s decision to not discipline him for this occurrence.
By November he began starting again for the Browns, and all seemed to be going well despite the team’s record. Again, here comes another shocking turn of events—a video surfaced social media of the bad repped quarterback, partying during the team’s bye-week in which it was reported that Johnny Football told his friends to lie to the Browns about the video.
Ahhh, 2016. New year, same Johnny?
On January 2nd, he was spotted partying in Las Vegas the night before the final of the Brown’s season. Earlier in the week he reported he was suffering from concussion-like symptoms, but it was evident that he showed up disheveled and completely inebriated to practice that week. This led to Manziel not being scheduled to play in the game but in exchange, he was required to report to the team's facility for a mandated concussion protocol—which he did not.
See ya later, Cleveland. Yes, you best believe that the partying has not stopped.
Here we are now in June, and Johnny Manziel’s lawyer sent out an “accidental” text implying a plea deal to The Associated Press. Weird? Meanwhile the player’s father also spoke to ESPN about the challenges faced surrounding Johnny.
"Heaven help us if one of the conditions is to pee in a bottle," said his attorney.
In the “accidental” text, it was revealed that he was given a receipt that shows Manziel might have spent over $1,000 at a drug paraphernalia store just 15 hours after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash, in which it was his car that was harmed.
"I don't know what to say other than my son is a druggie and he needs help. He just hasn't [sought] it yet. Hopefully he doesn't die before he comes to his senses. That's about all you can say. I don't know what else to say,” said Paul Manziel in a phone interview on Friday, June 24th.
Since being dropped from Cleveland, two agents have actually cut all ties with Manziel after demanding a second trip to rehab. He is also facing potential punishment from the NFL under tougher standards because of the domestic violence case involving Ray Rice. However, he is a Free Agent and currently not signed with any teams-- therefore not subject to league policies.
So what does this mean and when will it end? Any team would be looked as foolish if they were to sign him due to the unfortunate and immense baggage he would bring.
When TMZ caught up with him in April, everything seemed completely fine? He was supposedly "staying on track."
He's still so young and without all the garbage he involves himself in, his future is [potentially] incredibly bright. I mean, numbers don't lie.
But football aside-- his life is endanger, and that's what is most frightening.
These past few years can easily be compared to a train-wreck, but luckily in most cases there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.
So is this it? Is this really the end for Johnny Football?
Whether it's football or his life, that's for you to decide.





















