Charles Barkley says he tried to help Manziel before Vegas nightclub brawl

Charles Barkley tried to talk some sense into Johnny Manziel just hours before the troubled quarterback was kicked out of a Las Vegas nightclub for allegedly throwing punches at another patron.

During an appearance on Philadelphia's 97.5 The Fanatic on Wednesday morning, Barkley expressed concern for Manziel and shared a conversation they had in Las Vegas during the NBA Western Conference finals.

I said, "Johnny, man you're screwing up your life, man. I'm not your dad, I'm not gonna try to lecture you. I'm just telling you I had a brother who passed away at a young age. Drugs and alcohol got him. It's gonna end like a bad movie."

He said, "Man I just like to have fun," and I said, "Johnny we all like to have fun, at some point it's out of control." I said, "Man, don't screw up your career, and I'm worried about your life. ... My mom, when my brother passed away, I thought she quit living after that happened. I felt bad for her, and I don't wanna feel bad for your mom and dad if something happens to you man, stop being selfish." He said, "You know what, I'm gonna try and do better."

So it's about two o'clock in the morning. I got the plane waiting at the airport 'cause I got to get to Oklahoma City. So me and my boys, we stay there for a couple more hours. I'm driving to the airport, "Breaking News: Johnny Manziel arrested at a nightclub in Vegas." ... My friends, they were riding me, "Yeah, you're a good mentor, the guy gets arrested three hours after talking to you."

Manziel told TMZ Sports on Wednesday that he plans to go completely sober starting July 1 as he prepares for an NFL comeback.

- With h/t to Crossing Broad