Johnny Manziel says he’s sober now and wants to play football in 2017, and he told ESPN’s Ed Werder that he achieved sobriety without the help of professionals.
Johnny Manziel tells me he has achieved sobriety without professional assistance, needs to maintain and wants to play #NFL. (1/3)
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 20, 2017
You really need to quit complaining about every call, non-call and alleged conspiracies against Cowboys. https://t.co/PUaJehChSS
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 20, 2017
Manziel: "Only need one team to believe in me and I'll do anything to make that a possibility.'' (3/3)
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 20, 2017
It’s hard to believe an NFL team will take Manziel at his word after what happened the past couple of years. In addition to his problems with alcohol, he has been accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Coleen Crowley, so badly that her eardrum ruptured. After two failed seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he was released following the 2015 campaign.
Afterwards, Manziel was in the news constantly for all the wrong reasons and appeared to be in self-destruct mode.
However, in recent months it has appeared Manziel is doing some things to get his life back on track. He re-enrolled at Texas A&M to keep a promise to his parents and recently called himself out for being a “d–bag” on Twitter.
If Manziel were to be given another chance at playing in the NFL, and if he did stay sober and made his mark on the league in a positive way, then there’s no doubt it would be good for the game. A showman and quarterback with the knack for making big plays, we wish him well and hope he does make it back if he’s truly healthy off the field.