New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall is a staunch advocate for mental health awareness, and he shared a plea for troubled Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel to get the help he needs.
While appearing on Super Bowl Live (h/t CBS Sports), Marshall offered his story about how he was prepared to walk away from football and said he understands what Manziel is going through.
Marshall explained that he spent three months in the outpatient program at McClean Hospital to fight his personal batttles. He added:
“… For me, this has nothing to do with football. Johnny Manziel needs to walk away from the game, maybe even go to McClean hospital, and get his life under control. This young man has a serious issue. I feel for him, I understand what he’s going through, and I wish him well. But, all of us in the NFL and the surrounding the NFL need to know that this is a serious issue and I pray that he gets the help that he needs.”
Former NFL head coach Bill Cowher reminded listeners of the pressure on players to never show weakness.
Giving up professional football to enter rehab certainly would bring out the ugly side of macho-macho fans, which is a sad reality. If an athlete messes up once and parties too hard once, that’s one thing.
However, Manziel has regularly found himself in negative headlines as the result of behavioral issues. From excessive drinking in public to significant arguments with a girlfriend to skipping town and gambling in Las Vegas while wearing a disguise, there’s a real problem here.
And  like Marshall said, it has nothing to do with football. Manziel happens to play quarterback in the NFL, but he needs off-field help. Manziel checked into rehab last year.
I’m not a doctor or a therapist or psychologist, so suggesting treatment or therapy options would be improper, unfair and flat-out wrong. I don’t know what contributes to Manziel’s problems.
But he needs help. And we should all hope he gets it — whatever that may be. Even if that entails hanging up the cleats for a while.