“Johnny Football”, the controversial first-round draft choice from Texas A&M, was released by the Browns after spending his first two NFL seasons with the team.
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Trouble-prone former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel went unclaimed off waivers Saturday, according to the official National Football League personnel notice one day after the AFC North club cut ties with him following two rocky seasons and a pattern of chronic misbehavior and controversy.
The team announced they are waiving the quarterback. “I will always remember the support I received from the organization, my teammates and especially the fans”.
Manziel completed 147 of 258 passes for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games for Cleveland. He is also now being investigated by a Dallas Grand Jury after allegedly beating up his ex-girlfriend.
Manziel was involved in several off-the-field incidents and legal issues during his tenure with the team, while his play on-the-field was not exactly stellar. It was further detailed that Manziel struck her several times, including one to the left ear while appearing to be “on some kind of drugs” but not intoxicated.
Paul Manziel spoke publicly about trying unsuccessfully to check his son into area treatment centers, telling the Dallas Morning News in February, “I truly believe if they can’t get him help, he won’t live to see his 24 birthday”.
The Browns have lost five players through free agency this offseason, and some players over the past couple of weeks have said privately that they view playing in Cleveland like going to college: up to four years and they’re out.
Grimes agreed to a two-year, $13.5 million deal, while Ayers landed a three-year, $21 million contract.
“I want you to know that nearly as I was handing in the card, it was that close to putting that Manziel card in”. This showed up pretty much immediately into his Cleveland career, when the weekend after the team first organised practice took place, he was pictured partying in Vegas and drinking champagne.
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But Schefter’s report claimed that the Browns planned to hold onto Manziel, speculating that they would try to recoup bonus money is Manziel is suspended by the NFL.
