Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has long had Johnny Manziel's back, from their time together at College Station to last year, when he praised Manziel's decision to enter a drug treatment program.
And like just about everyone else, he thinks the former Heisman Trophy winner and Browns 2014 first-round pick needs to change if he ever wants another chance to play in the NFL.
"Pro football is a job," Sumlin said during an appearance Monday on The Audible with Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel (via FOXSports.com). "I know from his competitive nature he loves the game. Without a doubt, there's a lot of things going on in his life that if he's serious about playing professional football he's gotta change. Whatever that perception is has become reality for him, and he's gotta look that in the eye and say, 'Alright, here's a situation. Here's what people think ... What are the issues right now?' He's gotta address those.
"He’s a great competitor, and when he was here he loved the game of football, he loved to practice, he loved to play the game. That’s got to translate in his actions in the clubhouse or with his team. The perception that he doesn’t care, he’s got to deal with that, and the only way to deal with that is to show up and work at it every day.”
Manziel has been the latest franchise quarterback disappointment in Cleveland, and he could turn out to be one of the team's all-time biggest draft busts if he can't get his life together. The Browns released him earlier this month, and despite the precariousness of his professional fate, Manziel insisted that "of course," he'll play in the NFL next season.
That's not happening.
Meanwhile, Manziel's father said last month that his son won't live to see 24 if he doesn't get help. Last we heard, Manziel was reportedly in Las Vegas.
