The story of Johnny Manziel is a well-documented one. After becoming the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy, Manziel became a national sensation in the sports world. When he got to the NFL, however, it was an entirely different story, as Manziel struggled both on and off the field in his short career.
As Manziel has transitioned into a different chapter in his life, he has been more open to discussing the personal challenges he was going through during that time. On the latest episode of Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe, Manziel got a chance to speak about just how bad it got for him, despite the support he had, including from one of the biggest icons in professional sports.
Johnny Manziel Opens Up About Depression in Cleveland
When discussing just how rough of a mental spot he was in while in Cleveland, Manziel told Sharpe that even the idea of NBA superstar LeBron James reaching out to him wasn’t enough for him to get out of bed some days.
— Chris Scorch (@ChrisScorch) February 21, 2024
“LeBron James would text me every week to come over and watch a game or play poker with the boys … I was so depressed that even the biggest role model in my life couldn’t get me out of bed to hang out with him.,” Manziel said.
“When I went to Cavs games — I went, I was in, I was out, I didn’t really grasp and latch on to him in a way that I should’ve.”
“He’s trying to take me under his wing right, and I’m kind of just nudging it away because of where my mental is and being just fully depressed in where I was in my life.”
Manziel’s time in Cleveland was brief as he only appeared in 14 games over two seasons before his NFL career was over. In the years since, when Manziel has reflected on his short NFL career, he appears to regret not taking the guidance that those around him were providing.
KEEP READING: The Potential Butterfly Effect of the Johnny Manziel Debacle on 2024 Miami Dolphins
While he acknowledges in the clip that it was not an excuse for how his career turned out, it is another closer look into just what he was dealing with during that time in his life while the rest of the NFL world was calling him a draft bust.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!