Johnny Manziel: I want to take care of issues so I can play in 2016
Hours after agent Drew Rosenhaus fired Johnny Manziel because the quarterback failed to make changes in his lifestyle, Manziel issued a statement on his current situation -- and his future.
By
Ryan Wilson
•
2 min read
Hours after agent Drew Rosenhaus fired Johnny Manziel because the quarterback failed to make changes in his lifestyle, Manziel issued a statement on his current situation, and more importantly, plans for his future.
"I'm hoping to take care of the issues in front of me right now so I can focus on what I have to do if I want to play in 2016," Manziel said, according to USAToday.com. "I also continue to be thankful to those who really know me and support me."
Manziel's spokesperson Denise Michaels reiterated that the quarterback wants to play this season.
"So many people only have one image of Jonathan but, believe it or not, he takes all this very seriously," she said. "He's hoping that he can clear up his personal issues, start interviewing agents and see what he needs to do if he wants to play this year."
It's hard to envision a situation where Manziel is on an NFL roster anytime soon, particularly in light of Rosenhaus' comments just last Friday about his then-client.
"Unfortunately there hasn't been any movement toward getting help or seeking treatment that I'm aware of," Rosenhaus told PFT.com. "I'm trying diligently to recommend this to Johnny. I'm not the first one, certainly not the only one. There are a lot of friends and family and people that want the best for this young man. He's got a plan, it's just different than the one he and I talked about and what I would recommend to him."
Earlier this month, Manziel was spotted early one morning outside Le Jardin in Hollywood. He told TMZ that he had "been staying on track," adding, "The L.A. party scene is alright. I'm not really partying, though. I'm just out with some buddies. No drinking. Hanging with the boys, man. ... I'm out at the spots. I'm eating good food. Not doing anything crazy though, being smart. ... I'm not always partying. I'm just out having a good time with my boys and not drinking."
There's more: Manziel and his friends are also accused of trashing a $4.5 million Los Angeles party house, and over the weekend, Manziel and suspended Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon were spotted partying at Coachella.
When the Browns cut ties with Manziel in March, he issued this statement:
"I'd like to thank the Browns for the opportunity they gave me -- nearly two years ago, we all hoped that we were building what could be a championship team for Cleveland. I will always remember the support I received from the organization, my teammates and especially the fans."
And now, after the second agent in three months has dumped him, Manziel has issued another statement about his hopes of reviving an NFL career that never got off the ground. But the 23-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner faces much bigger concerns than football.
The Dallas County District Attorney has announced that it would present Manziel's domestic-violence assault case involving his then-girlfriend to a grand jury on Thursday. He could face up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if the grand jury chooses to indict him.
Meanwhile, Manziel's father told the Dallas Morning News earlier this year that his son won't live to see 24 if he doesn't get help.
