Where in the world is Johnny Football? And where will Manziel go next?
Where in the world is Johnny Manziel? Over the weekend, nobody seemed to know his whereabouts, including the Cleveland Browns, the team for which the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner plays.
Well, Johnny Football hasn’t been playing much of late since he sustained a concussion in a 17-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 27. The dual-threat quarterback, who ran for 108 yards in 11 carries and passed for another 136 yards during the loss, did not attend the game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who won the game, 28-12.
Where was Manziel? Reportedly in Las Vegas. Manziel seemed to refute that by taking to Twitter to post an Instagram photo that showed him laying on the floor with a dog, supposedly at home in Avon, Ohio.
The weekend situation became murkier when Manziel did not report to the team’s training facility Sunday to continue treatment for his concussion.
“I’m not exactly sure where Johnny is,†owner Jimmy Haslam said Sunday night. “Haven’t talked to him. I know our football people will be on top of that.â€
Which “football people†that might be is unclear. Haslam fired his coach, Mike Pettine, and general manager, Ray Farmer, after the team finished 3-13 with the loss Sunday.
“That will be completely their call,†Haslam said of the front office’s dealings with Manziel. “Ultimately, as the owner you do have say. I just don’t think right now is the time to comment on that. There will be plenty of time to work on that over the next several months.â€
Meanwhile, rumors swirl that Manziel wants out.
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King said the Browns are “done†with Manziel after he missed treatment Sunday. King reported that Manziel, who grew up in Texas and starred at Texas A&M, would like to play for the Dallas Cowboys.
Manziel is an exciting player who has been given chance after chance to excel, yet continues find his way into problems off the field. That said, even his former coach is a fan.
“He’s very talented,†Pettine said. “If you spend some time with him, he’s a likable guy. You root for him, but there are problems there.
“I don’t think you can be as effective as you can be as a player if things aren’t right off the field, and he’s a good example of that.â€
Where is Johnny Manziel? We should find out soon. Where is he headed? That might take awhile to find out.
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