The Johnny Manziel saga continues, thanks to a report from the New York Post that claims the Browns announced that Manziel was in concussion protocol to cover up his inebriation at practice.
Manziel reportedly showed up to Browns practice drunk on December 30, days before the Browns were to face the Steelers in the season finale. NFL Network’s Michael Silver reported that Manziel was in fact drunk.
“I was with a Browns player yesterday,” Silver said. “Johnny Manziel, going in to what would have been a start late in the season, showed up drunk at practice on a Wednesday.”
“The Browns lied and said he was in the concussion protocol,” Silver added. “Let me say that again: The Browns lied. To try to protect and, I would argue, enable this irresponsible and very troubled young man.”
This is just another sad addition to the Johnny Manziel story, which most recently includes a horrible domestic violence incident in which Manziel allegedly ruptured his ex-girlfriend’s eardrum.
Colleen Crowley, the victim of Manziel’s alleged assault, was granted a protective order that prohibits Manziel from approaching her for two years, and requires him to pay $12,500 in attorney’s fees.
Manziel is expected to be cut by the Browns in March. He was already dropped by his agent earlier this month, and his father has also expressed his fear that his son might not see his next birthday. Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf also expressed dismay at Manziel’s situation, saying that the embattled quarterback reminded Leaf of himself.