Fresh from a lengthy stint in rehab Johnny Manziel made his first public comments Friday morning, releasing a statement directed at Cleveland Browns fans, players and management.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and it’s my intention to work very hard to regain everyone’s trust and respect,” Manziel said. “I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say. I also understand there’s a lot of curiosity about this but anyone who has a friend or family-member that’s been through things like this knows it’s an ongoing process. I’m going to continue to ask folks to try to respect my privacy as I determine to what degree I am comfortable talking about a subject which I consider very personal. Most of you have been considerate about that and I thank you for it.”
Manziel had known issues with his behavior before the draft and its likely what he dropped down to the No. 22 spot in the first round where the Browns selected him in last year’s draft. Manziel had a tumultuous and disappointing rookie season and finished 2014 on the bench with injuries and a handful of missed and late practices, training appointments and meetings putting his future in Cleveland in doubt.
Full statement from @Browns QB Johnny Manziel. pic.twitter.com/yxXgUzkZkt
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 17, 2015
But Manziel, for the first time in his life as far as I can see, looked hard at himself, looked at what he was throwing away with his natural talent and ability and made the call to change. He entered rehab and hopefully his time there helped him become the person he should be and, second to that, the quarterback he has every bit of talent to become.
Manziel was in the rehab facility located in Reading, Pa. for two and a half months. According to reports, the rehab programs offered by the facility, part of the Caron Treatment Program, generally take six weeks. The fact that Manziel stayed longer voluntarily to work out his issues speaks volumes.
“I would like to thank my family, friends, the Browns organization, my teammates, and Browns fans everywhere, for your patience, understanding, and support during my stay at Caron,” Manziel said. “The doctors and staff have been amazing and what I’ve learned in the last couple of months has been tremendous. I owe private apologies to a lot of people that I disappointed but a very public one to the Browns organization and the fans that I let down.”
I still say Manziel is the starter in Cleveland if he truly has changed.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) April 17, 2015
Manziel is expected to fully participate in the Browns’ first offseason workouts beginning Monday.
“I look forward to seeing my teammates next week,” Manziel said. “And focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be.”
Adrian Peterson officially reinstated Friday
After spending seven months on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson can get return to playing football. And much to Peterson’s chagrin, right now that’s still with the Vikings.
On Nov. 4 Peterson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless injury charges after beating his son’s legs bloody with a switch. Peterson was officially suspended by the NFL on Nov. 18, but federal judge David Doty ordered it vacated in February. Peterson was immediately put back on the exempt list.
Now that he’s back in the NFL, Peterson is expected to fulfill the legal obligations of his plea agreement and enter counseling.
What's missing from this Adrian Peterson story? Penitence. Acknowledgment. The #Vikings didn't mistreat their star. He mistreated his son.
— Mark Kriegel (@MarkKriegel) April 17, 2015
The running back has made it clear he has no desire to play for the Vikings this season, but his contract has made trading him difficult. At present, according to their public statements, they plan on having Peterson back this season, even if his plans are different.
“The Minnesota Vikings have been informed by the NFL that Adrian Peterson has been reinstated,” the Vikings’ statement said. “We look forward to Adrian rejoining the Vikings.”
Nike signs Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota
Nike hedged its bets with the top two quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL draft by signing both Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota to endorsement deals.
Nike added plenty of new players to their promotional stable, also tabbing Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Georgia running back Todd Gurley and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
It’s a good statement about how seriously the NFL and its sponsors are taking the new civil suit filed against Jameis Winston over an alleged rape in 2012 that he’s already been cleared of twice.
