Berea, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel issued a statement Friday, offering an apology and thanks to fans, teammates and the organization for support during his recent stay at a treatment facility.
Manziel spent more than two months at a rehab center, undergoing treatment for an undisclosed substance problem. He reportedly entered in late January before exiting last week.
The former Heisman Trophy winner issued a statement through the Browns on Friday.
"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," said Manziel on Friday. "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."
Manziel had a rough rookie season after being selected with the 22nd overall pick in last year's draft, drawing criticism for his poor play and for his behavior on and off the field.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and it's my intention to work very hard to regain everyone's trust and respect," Manziel continued. "I understand that will take time and will only happen through what I do and not what I say."
Reports of Manziel's partying circulated all last summer after the draft. In late November, a fight at a high-end apartment complex in Cleveland between a fan and people associated with Manziel took place in the early morning hours.
Manziel eventually started two games late in the season, then was placed on injured reserve for the finale because of hamstring issue. He then overslept the day before the last game against Baltimore and was fined.
"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," Manziel added. "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 is expected to join his teammates next week for offseason workouts at the Browns training complex.
"I look forward to seeing my teammates next week and focusing on football and my desire to be the best possible player, teammate, and man that I can be," he concluded.
Manziel appeared in just five games for the Browns last season.
In his debut as a starter in a Week 15 game against Cincinnati, Manziel threw for just 80 yards and was intercepted twice and sacked three times in a 30-0 loss.
The former Texas A&M star was back on the field the following week against Carolina and was 3-for-8 for 32 yards before exiting late in the first half with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the final game of the season.
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