Johnny Rehab? Cleveland Browns Quarterback Manziel Enters Treatment Facility: Alcohol Abuse the Cause?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered rehab in an effort to prove that he's taking his personal improvement seriously. Following rumors of alcohol abuse - with ESPN's Skip Bayless saying that Manziel had a problem with alcohol and having already received counseling for alcohol abuse - Manziel has voluntarily entreated treatment to 'improve' himself. The Heisman Trophy winning Texas A&M star was picked 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, but only payed seen quarters of the 2014-15 season.

Browns QB Johnny Manziel entered rehab treatment on Wednesday » https://t.co/u7fwEx0BDr pic.twitter.com/f6B5p9bGS4

— Pro Football on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 2, 2015

As ESPN report, Manziel is "voluntarily entering treatment as a direct result of his lifestyle away from the field," and they add that Manziel had told "people in his circle last week" that the controversial Texas A&M star wanted to "figure out his value system," according an ESPN source.

Maybe he went a little bit to hard in Assssssssspen?

"I'm talking about a little place called asssssspen" pic.twitter.com/LdOFzggo7v

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) January 9, 2015

Either way, as reported by Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Manziel went into a treatment facility on Wednesday, with his publicist releasing a statement saying:

"Brad Beckworth, friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny.. entered treatment on Wednesday. Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend and teammate and he thought the off-season was the right time to take this step. On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for..(rest of Manziel in treatement)....privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."

Breaking: #Browns QB Johnny Manziel has entered treatment Wednesday according to publicist Denise Michaels. Details coming soon

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015

Statemnt on #Browns Manziel entering treatement: "Brad Beckworth, friend and advisor to Manziel and his family, has confirmed that Johnny.. — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015

...entered treatment on Wednesday. Johnny knows there are areas in which he needs to improve in order to be a better family member, friend.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015 

..and teammate and he thought the off-season was the right time to take this step. On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for.. — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015

(rest of Manziel in treatement)....privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015

Browns General Manager Ray Farmer released a statement saying:

"We respect Johnny's initiative in this decision and will fully support him throughout this process. Our players' health and well-being will always be of the utmost importance to the Cleveland Browns. We continually strive to create a supportive environment and provide the appropriate resources with our foremost focus being on the individual and not just the football players. Johnny's privacy will be respected by us during this very important period and we hope that others will do the same."

#browns statement on Manziel entering treatment pic.twitter.com/E1klKpLDwU

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 2, 2015

ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL coach Herm Edwards this morning said "If he needs help, this is the right thing to do."

"If he needs help, this is the right thing to do." - Herm Edwards, on Johnny Manziel going to rehab. https://t.co/SMhPtzwgK4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 2, 2015

Meanwhile Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith tweeted out his support for Manziel, saying: "Folks criticize Manziel for trying to get help and laugh at overweight people in the gym...they are trying to fix a problem support them smh."

Folks criticize Manziel for trying to get help and laugh at overweight people in the gym...they are trying to fix a problem support them smh

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) February 2, 2015

Manziel -- who challenged the incumbent Brian Hoyer for the Browns starting QB job after being drafted -- eventually started Cleveland's week 15 and 16 games in the 2014 season before injuring his hamstring. He completed 18 of 35 passes for 175 yards total for the year, throwing zero touchdowns and two interceptions.

There's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success..

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) December 30, 2014