The saga continues with Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel. On Tuesday, the NFL Network's Mike Silver claimed that the Manziel showed up intoxicated at practice on Dec. 30, a few days before Cleveland's last game of the season vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns then "lied" and placed him on the concussion protocol to cover up the fact that Manziel showed up inebriated. A Browns spokesperson denied these accusations shortly after Silver's report was released.
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#Browns spokesman: "The fact that people are saying we lied about (Johnny Manziel's) concussion is false''
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) February 9, 2016
Silver released several statements on his Twitter account that later shed some light on what he was told and what he reported. He stood by his original report that Manziel showed up intoxicated and was placed on the concussion protocol after being evaluated, but apologized and recanted saying that the Browns "lied."
1) I've been told by multiple sources that Manziel showed up late to the tea facility for a meeting & noticeably drunk on Wednesday, Dec. 30
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
2) He was later placed in the concussion protocol & sent home.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
3) I am not a doctor & thus cannot presume to question the diagnosis of an independent neurologist or any medical professional...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
4) I do not have direct knowledge of what Manziel may have told the doctor or doctors who evaluated him, or what might have been suggested.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
5) If the Browns say they did not lie about Manziel's diagnosis, I will take them at their word, and I regret using that term ("lied").
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
6) I stand by my original report that Manziel showed up drunk at practice & that witnesses believed this was the cause of his "behavior."
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
7) This will be my last comment on the subject, pending further reporting.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) February 9, 2016
ESPN's Adam Schefter is claiming a similar discrepancy in terms of the state Manziel arrived at the facility in, but according to Schefter, the quarterback showed up to the facility "hungover" and the Browns subsequently placed him on the concussion protocol for Week 17.
"One well-placed Browns source who had contact with Manziel that day told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he 'was heavily hung over on something.'" Pat McManamon states via ESPN.com.
An independent neurologist diagnosed Manziel with a concussion four days before the 2015 season finale, the Browns said Tuesday. Manziel was not cleared from concussion protocol by the independent doctor until Jan. 12, according to a team statement."
Whether or not Manziel showed up drunk or hungover, it still seems a little odd that the Browns simply diagnose him with a concussion if that were the case. We will continue to keep you updated on this weird situation.
