Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel released a statement following his stint in rehab, as shared by the team’s Twitter account.
“I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates, and Browns fans everywhere, for your patience, understanding, and support during my stay at Caron. The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I’ve learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down. I take full responsibility for my actions and it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect. I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say. I also understand there’s a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family-member that’s been through things like this knows it’s an ongoing process. I’m going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal. Most of you have been considerate about that and I thank you for it. I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be.”
Since his redshirt freshman season at Texas A&M University, Manziel has been one of the most polarizing figures in the media. The first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, Manziel electrified the nation with his dazzling elusiveness and unbelievable play-making skills.
He was selected 22nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and appeared in five games last season, completing 18 of 35 passes, throwing two interceptions and running for one touchdown.
Ever since Manziel’s college days, however, his off-the-field events have been heavily scrutinized. From being compensated for signing memorabilia—a big no-no, per NCAA rules—to what has been tabbed as excessive partying, he’s caught backlash from many directions.
But rehab is nothing to joke about. Hopefully Johnny received the help he deemed necessary and can return to the football field in full health, both physically and mentally.
You don’t need to like Manziel to pull for him in this case. That would just make you a good person.
Photo: USA Today