Johnny Manziel, the embattled Cleveland Browns quarterback who will likely be cut by the team next month, reportedly showed up drunk to practice for Week 17 in December. The Browns, which reportedly covered this up by declaring Manziel out with a concussion, have denied it.
On the NFL Network today, Mike Silver claimed that Manziel showed up drunk to practice on the Wednesday before the Browns’ final game of the seasons. Silver claimed that his source was a current Browns player.
“The Browns lied and said he was in the concussion protocol,” Silver claimed. “Let me repeat that: The Browns lied, to try to protect, and I would argue enable, this irresponsible and very troubled young man.”
ProFootballTalk notes that there was a series of strange events that happened that week. On the Monday, now-fired Browns coach Mike Pettine said that he wanted to talk to Manziel about one of the videos that appeared to show him drinking. Then on Wednesday, after Manziel arrived at practice, the Browns announced that he couldn’t play on Sunday because he was being checked out for a concussion. Why did it take three days for the Browns to put Manziel through the concussion protocol?
In a statement to USA Today Sports, the Browns denied Silver’s report and the NFL declined to comment.
“Johnny Manziel came to our facility on the morning of December 30th and complained of concussion symptoms,” the Browns said. “He was tested by an independent neurologist and entered the league's concussion protocol. He remained in the protocol until January 12th after being cleared by the independent neurologist.”
The Browns will likely cut Manziel after March 9, when the new league year begins.
Since the season ended, the drama surrounding Manziel has not stopped. On Jan. 30, he was accused of hitting his ex-girlfirend, charges that he denied. Last week, his father said that Manziel declined to go to rehab and that he fears for his 23-year-old son’s life.