In 2014, when recent Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel walked on stage at the NFL draft with a Cleveland Browns hat on his head and his hands making their signature "show me the money" gesture, he promised to "wreck this league." Two years later, he has mostly just wrecked his reputation and pro football prospects. On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns released a statement criticizing "Johnny's continual involvement in incidents" that run counter to the team's off-field expectations, saying his behavior "undermines the hard work of his teammates and the reputation of our organization." The Browns will address "his status with our team" as soon as "permitted by league rules," the team added, without elaborating.
That is widely interpreted to mean that the Browns are cutting Manziel from the team. "Manziel's time with the Cleveland Browns will come to an end in March," reports Pat McManamon at ESPN, citing "a league source." Manziel only started eight games in his two years with the team, appearing in seven others, and while he showed moments of competence on the field, it wasn't enough to offset his off-field partying and other antics. "Johnny Football leaves Cleveland with his reputation and image deflated," McManamon concludes. And if you're curious, The Associated Press lists some of Manziel's extracurricular low points.
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