Browns' Johnny Manziel enters rehab
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered a rehab facility, according to The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot.
Publicist Denise Michaels released a statement regarding Manziel's treatment Monday.
Brad Beckworth, friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny entered treatment on Wednesday. Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate and he thought the off-season was the right time to take this step. On behalf of Johnny and his family, we’re asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland.
Beckworth told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that Manziel felt the offseason was the best time for him to begin treatment.
The Browns released an official statement Monday.
We respect Johnny's initiative in this decision and will fully support him throughout this process. Our players' health and well-being will always be of the utmost importance to the Cleveland Browns. We continually strive to create a supportive environment and provide the appropriate resources, with our foremost focus being on the individual and not just the football player. Johnny's privacy will be respected by us during this very important period and we hope that others will do the same.
The reasoning behind Manziel's admittance into rehab has not yet been released. How long he'll be in treatment depends on the recommendation of doctors, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Browns reportedly believe Manziel will be present at training camp, but aren't putting a timetable on him.
Related: Johnny Manziel made the best decision of his career by entering rehab
The former Heisman Trophy winner struggled in his first campaign, failing to throw a touchdown.
Manziel was criticized for a series of off-field incidents and was fined for missing a team-issued treatment, culminating in the 22-year-old sitting in the Browns' locker room for the team's season finale.
Cleveland selected Manziel in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, hoping that he'd be their long-awaited franchise quarterback. However, many teammates and team personnel questioned his commitment to success in a report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Pat McManamon.