Browns' Manziel enters rehab program

Berea, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel entered a rehab program last week.

The Browns confirmed the news in a statement Monday, saying the 2014 first- round pick began his treatment last Wednesday.

"We respect Johnny's initiative in this decision and will fully support him throughout this process," said Browns general manager Ray Farmer in a statement Monday. "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 player. Johnny's privacy will be respected by us during this very important period and we hope that others will do the same."

Manziel had a rough rookie season, both on the field and off the field, in 2014.

Reports of his partying circulated all summer after the Browns used the 22nd overall pick to select the former Heisman Trophy winner in May's draft. He was fined $12,000 by the NFL for a hand gesture he made in a preseason loss to the Washington Redskins, then started the season on the bench behind journeyman Brian Hoyer.

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.

"Johnny knows there are areas he needs to improve on to help him be a better family member, friend and teammate, so he decided to take this step in his life during the offseason," said Brad Beckworth, a friend and advisor to Manziel and his family. "On behalf of Johnny and his family, we're asking for privacy until he rejoins the team in Cleveland."

Manziel's starting debut was nothing short of a disaster in Week 15 against Cincinnati on Dec. 14 when he managed just 80 passing yards with two interceptions in a 30-0 loss to the Bengals.

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.