June 30, 2016 - Aaron Wilson
Johnny Manziel suspended four games for violating NFL substance-abuse policy
Johnny Manziel was once an elusive quarterback on the field, routinely avoiding pass rushers with his athleticism, verve and pocket presence.
The mercurial, trouble-prone former Texas A&M star and Heisman Trophy winner hasn't been nearly as adept at eluding trouble off the field, though.
The hard-partying former Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick was suspended for the first four games of the regular season by the league office for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy.
Manziel is unemployed, though, having been cut by the Browns in March when their tolerance and patience with his embarrassing antics ran out after two substandard seasons on and off the field.
Manziel, whose father, Paul Manziel, has called a druggie and said that he fears for his son's life if he doesn't get help, recently vowed to TMZ that he would get sober after Friday. Manziel is in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on a vacation.
Manziel went to a treatment center in Pennsylvania for multiple substance-abuse issues last year that involved his use of hard drugs in addition to alcohol, according to sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Manziel has been fired by two agents, Erik Burkhardt and Drew Rosenhaus.
He's facing a misdemeanor domestic violence assault charge in Dallas after allegedly hitting his former girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, a Houston native, model and Texas Christian University student.
The case remains active and his former lawyer accidentally texted the Associated Press where he said a plea bargain is being discussed and doubted his client's ability to pass a drug test. He subsequently withdrew from the case.