Johnny Manziel. (Getty)
A report from earlier Friday that Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel had left the rehab center he checked himself into just over six weeks ago is false, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
Report that Johnny Manziel is out of rehab is incorrect, Browns say http://t.co/0dJbSHEDWL
Earlier Friday, Sarah Spain of ESPN Chicago tweeted the following:
Rumors began to fly when Manziel’s girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, posted a photo to Instagram from inside a private jet, fueling speculation she was traveling with the former Texas A&M standout.
Manziel was not in the picture, nor was any mention made of him. The photo has since been removed from her account.
But soon after, Spain tweeted her news. She then followed with another tweet when she was asked if her source was Instagram:
But Cabot’s story late Friday night cited a Browns spokesman saying Manziel is still receiving treatment.
#Browns spokesman said Manziel is still receiving treatment and the club is respecting his privacy. Lg source tells me it’s still inpatient
Cabot added a league source told Northeast Ohio Media Group that Manziel is still in inpatient rehab and has not been discharged.
Manziel check into the undisclosed rehab center on January 28.
Here’s what we know so far:
1. Manziel Is in Rehab for Alcohol & Substance Abuse
(Getty)
Though a specific incident or drug was never cited, Manziel was in a facility for alcohol and substance abuse issues.
Since his days as the star quarterback at Texas A&M, Manziel has been known to party. His name and picture would often show up in gossip columns or on internet blogs, giving him the bad boy image.
In late December, Manziel was fined for oversleeping the day before the season finale at Baltimore and admitted he partied too hard the night before.
2. There Was No Set Date for His Rehab Departure
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Manziel checked into the facility on January 28, which is over 6 weeks ago. That’s well over the 28 days many treatment programs last.
When Manziel entered the program, it was noted the amount of time he spent in rehab depended largely on what the doctors recommended.
Just a few days ago, Browns legend Jim Brown praised Manziel for sticking with rehab.
Cabot tweeted it’s possible Manziel can leave the facility for brief periods:
3. Manziel Was in the Facility 4 Days Ago
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Cabot wrote on cleveland.com that Manziel was still in the treatment center as of Monday night.
Browns coach Mike Pettine, who visited Manziel in the facility last month, told Cabot:
There was no set end date. It’s more important – the personal stuff now – football is an afterthought so we’re just giving him his privacy and (letting him) do what he has to do.
He added at the NFL Combine:
He’s in a much better place now than before he went in. He’s very determined to come out of it in a much better way.
4. There Was Speculation He Would Miss the Entire 2015 Season
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While Pettine never addressed Manziel’s immediate playing future, ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo allegedly said the quarterback would miss the entire 2015 season.
Rizzo hosts The Really Big Show on ESPN 850 radio in Cleveland.
That report was summed up in a series of tweets on Friday:
WOW BREAKING NEWS: @TheRealTRizzo said a source very close to him said Johnny Manziel will not play in the 2015 @NFL season #SameOldBrowns
The Rizzo report has not been confirmed.
5. The Browns Added 2 QBs in the Offseason
QB Josh McCown signed with the Browns. (Getty)
The Browns lost Brian Hoyer, who started most of the 2014 season, in free agency.
But the team signed journeymen Josh McCown and Thad Lewis to compete for the starting job. McCown was the starter for Tampa Bay for most of last season.
Manziel, the first-round pick of the Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft, played sparingly this season. He backed up Hoyer for most of the season, but did start a couple games when Hoyer became ineffective.
Manziel completed just 18 of 35 passes for 175 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions over 5 games.
He ran for 29 yards and 1 touchdown on 9 carries.