Johnny Manziel’s father says he hopes ‘druggie’ son goes to jail

Johnny Manziel’s father, Paul, called his son a “druggie,” and discussed several failed attempts to help the troubled former Browns quarterback in an interview on Friday.

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Johnny Manziel’s father, Paul, called his son a “druggie,” and discussed several failed attempts to help the troubled former Browns quarterback in an interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson on Friday.

“He’s a druggie. It’s not a secret that he’s a druggie,” Paul Manziel said. “I don’t know what to say other than my son is a druggie and he needs help. He just hasn’t [sought] it yet. Hopefully he doesn’t die before he comes to his senses. That’s about all you can say. I don’t know what else to say.

“I hate to say it but I hope he goes to jail. I mean, that would be the best place for him. So we’ll see."

An accidental text sent from Johnny Manziel’s lawyer to the Associated Press on Friday revealed that Manziel may have spent over $1,000 at a drug paraphernalia shop 15 hours after a hit-and-run crash earlier this week. 

In the interview, Paul Manziel said that that the family has tried to help Johnny, but that he hasn’t been willing to cooperate.

From ESPN:

“I had him in rehab and he escaped and the doctors let him go and that is a whole other story ... We’ve done everything that we can do. Life goes on. You can’t just chase somebody that's not willing to listen. The story is not going to change. It’s the same.”

Manziel's father feels the family has virtually exhausted all ways possible to help their son.

“We’re so far past that,” he said. “That was years ago. We’re so far past what everybody thinks we are past. People are ignorant. It’s just a horrible story. That’s all there is to it.”

Manziel, who is currently a free agent, has reportedly been preparing to play football again in 2016 after being released by the Browns in March. Since his release, he has been charged with misdemeanor assault in an incident involving his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley.

Manziel’s hearing for the hit-and-run incident was held Friday. In the accidental message to the AP, Manziel’s lawyer said his client is seeking a plea deal.