Jerry Jones on Johnny Manziel: I’m concerned about his well-being
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told SI’s Peter King on Tuesday that he is concerned about troubled NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel’s well-being.
Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns earlier this month and is currently a free agent.
When asked by King what it would take for Jones to give Manziel a second chance in the league, the owner responded with concern for the signal caller.
“What’s got to get out of my mind is my concern for him, just his well-being,” Jones said. “I can get past the football thing. I know a lot of people don’t think I can, but I really can. And anybody should be rooting for and concerned about him getting his life together.
• Jerry Jones on what’s after L.A., Johnny Manziel and retirement
“I have the same impression that [I did] when he came out of A&M of what his potential is as a football player. But you can be the smartest mathematician, you can be the greatest politician, but if you can’t get it straight with your life, you don’t get those chances. And so I’m more concerned with that in mind, not thinking about where it is to football and the Cowboys.”
King went on to ask Jones if he would still be interested in Manziel if he got his life in order with rehab.
“I haven’t changed my opinion of how exciting a player that he is, how unique a player that he is, and he plays a unique position. We have an old adage in talent evaluation, if you see them do it a couple of times, they can do it. Now, will they have the discipline and the will to get out there and do it day in and day out and do it like a Peyton Manning and make a career out of doing it every day. That hasn’t been shown.”
• A history of controversies surrounding Johnny Manziel
Two of Manziel’s more notable incidents since entering the NFL include checking into a rehabilitation facility and being investigated for domestic assault. In 15 career NFL games, he has completed 57% of his passes with 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and seven fumbles.
